Takashi Asahina Dvořák Symphonies No. 8 & 9 2SACD Hybrid TOWER RECORDS

Product introduction

The second installment of Takashi Asahina's 115th birthday project. Planned for 120 years after Dvorak's death. The world's first SACD! Dvořák's new and attractive masterpiece. No. 8 is the only recording. "From the New World", which was an important repertoire, was the last recording. A new manuscript by Yuichi Iwano, reprinting the commentary from the first publication, and the latest reprint. Newly mastered by Tomoyoshi Ezaki for this reprint. Limited edition of 700 sets with serial number!

It is well known that Takashi Asahina was good at Eastern European music as well as German music. ''No. 8'' was played only five times in his lifetime, and this version, played in 1999, is the only record remaining in the catalog. Asahina's spirit overflows here, and there is a suction power that draws her listeners in all at once. "From the New World" is one of Asahina's favorite songs, which was featured in the first regular edition of the Kansai Symphony Orchestra (currently the Osaka Philharmonic), and this 1997 edition is the last performance of the three versions. This is a must-listen to the master's masterpiece, which vividly intersects generous emotion and masculine spirit. Please listen to this precious record that has been dormant for about a quarter of a century, with new manuscript by Yuichi Iwano, re-recording of old manuscript by Toru Yuki, green label specification, and new mastering by Tomoyoshi Ezaki in 2024.

This No. 8 is a valuable performance for Asahina. Of the five times I performed in my lifetime, two were with student orchestras, and the remaining three were with the Osaka Philharmonic, twice in February 1999, for which recordings remain, and again the following year to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Izumi Hall's opening. It seems that the performance at the special concert was the last. Compared to "From the New World", which is performed quite often by Dvořák, it is rare, and only a few performances have been heard, so it can be said to be quite rare. Please read the preface for more details.) Although Asahina's interpretation of Dvořák is similar to "From the New World" this bright performance that seems to emphasize the rich melody of No. 8 is perhaps the best. Although the performance is less than 40 minutes, the level of fulfillment is immeasurable. I hope that with this improved sound quality, Asahina's No. 8 will become more pervasive and reevaluated.

Although "From the New World" was performed so often that it could be said that it formed the core of Asahina's repertoire, it was not a song for which many recordings remained. She has performed it since the beginning of her conducting career, and it is amazing that she has performed it more than 250 times in her lifetime, but it may be because it is one of her most famous pieces. She performed this song regularly, including at her annual New Year's concert, so I'm sure many of you have seen it performed. The sound source recorded this time is a live performance on January 7, 1997 at the "Osaka Philharmonic New Year Masterpiece Concert", and Asahina gives a passionate performance. It can be said that this performance entertains the audience with its rich expressions as it carefully sings the many phrases of famous songs. There is also a sense of stability because the overall amplitude of the performance is large. Rather than the flow of her standard songs, you can feel Asahina's spirit of having fun with her music itself. With this SACD conversion, it has become possible to grasp even more details, so this sound source will also be evaluated.

Work information

Conductor: Takashi Asahina

Orchestra: Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra

Composer: Antonin Dvorak

Contents

Number of components | 2 pieces

Track Listing

Antonín Dvořák

Disc 1

1. Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88, B. 163

Disc 2

2. Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95, B. 178, "From the New World"

recording

Recorded live at Aichi Prefectural Art Theater Concert Hall on February 21, 1999 (1)

Recorded live at Festival Hall, Osaka on January 7, 1997 (2)

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