This page lists all recordings of The Bartered Bride: Three Dances (Polka, Furiant, Skocná - Dance of the Comedians), by Bedrich Smetana (1824-84) on CD & download (MP3 & FLAC). Generally, more recent releases are listed first, but with priority given to those that are in stock. |
All recordingsPrices shown exclude VAT. (UK tax is not payable for deliveries to United States.)
See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Dvorak: Slavonic Dances
Dvořák composed his first book of Slavonic Dances in 1878, using as a model Brahms’ massively popular Hungarian Dances. Originally for piano, his publisher Simrock asked the relatively unknown Dvořák to orchestrate them immediately. These dances made Simrock extremely wealthy whereas Dvořák received a pittance for his efforts. By the time of the second set (1886) Dvořák was well established and could demand a proper reward! The composer drew upon dance rhythms from the entire Slavic region of Eastern Europe and these lively and melodious works have always retained their popularity. Malko’s superb recording was highly praised in its day and has been frequently requested during the CD era. The 1950s were a golden period for the Philharmonia and in the bonus items they play out of their skins for Kubelik in two Bartered Bride dances. The Dennis Brain discography states that the Dvorak Slavonic Dances were recorded between 27 April and 2 May 1953 and the Smetana Bartered Bride extracts on 4 September 1951. “The Philharmonia, under Malko, play them with plenty of zip in this reissued 1951 recording and, with Kubelik, give a lively account of the two Smetana pieces.” Sunday Times, 9th October 2011 | | | Usually despatched in 4 - 5 working days. |
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| |  | Smetana - Orchestral Works Volume 2
Volume one of this series was an Editor’s Choice in Gramophone and here Gianandrea Noseda conducts his second instalment in his Smetana Orchestral Works series. This latest programme is made up of the familiar Bartered Bride Overture and Dances with the overtures and ballets of his lesser-known operas, including his first opera The Brandenburgers - performed with the Ballet from Act I, The Kiss – which was his first collaboration with the brilliant young librettist and poet, Eliska Krasnohorska, and The Devil’s Wall all of which offer Smetana’s masterful orchestration, panache and virtuosity. They are performed with assurance by the BBC Philharmonic. “Even the most familiar pages from The Bartered Bride… come up fresh as paint, the BBC Philharmonic's immaculate virtuosity as musicianly and refined as it is sparkling. Everything is permeated with a sense of Czech pride and ideals, a mood memorably captured by Noseda.” Gramophone Magazine, August 2009 “An extraordinary, implacable performance of the Libuse prelude makes the disc worth hearing.” The Guardian, 24th July 2009 *** “…the lyrical tragedy Dalibor, a great hymn to friendship, is rarely performed outside his homeland, and even there, relatively few will ever see Libuše, the story of Bohemia's legendary prophetess-queen, who married a humble ploughman. All the more valuable, therefore, is this sampler from the versatile Gianandrea Noseda, whose glossy, vibrant performances more than hint at what we're missing.” BBC Music Magazine, September 2009 ***** “Brilliant, picturesque and nationalistic, all the music on this superb disc pays colourful tribute to 'the father of Bohemian music'. Even the most familiar pages from The Bartered Bride come up fresh as paint, the BBC Philharmonic's immaculate virtuosity as musicianly and refined as it is sparkling. However rapid and propulsive the tempo, nothing is pushed or over-driven.
The Polka's grandiose opening leads to music of a courtly charm, enough to set even the least susceptible heads nodding and feet tapping. The Furiant's catchy cross-rhythms lead to a suavely romantic melody and in the Overture to TheSecret there is a typical Smetana progression from sobriety to lightness and exultance.
The Prelude to Libuše was written to celebrate the coronation of the Emperor Franz Josef. But even if Smetana was left in the lurch (the event never took place) his ceremonial fanfares carry all the importance of a promised state occasion.
The Entr'acte from Dalibor is a special delight, a magical dream-like interlude before a return in The Two Widows to hyperactivity. Everything is permeated with a sense of Czech pride and ideals, a mood memorably captured by Noseda.
Chandos's sound is exceptional.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 | | | (also available to download from $10.50) | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. (Available now to download.) |
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| |  | Dances from Bohemia and Hungary
Ensemble Prisma Wind Octet | |
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| |  | Brahms: Hungarian Dances; Dvorák: Slavonic Dances; Borodin: Polovtsian Dances
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| |  | Herbert von Karajan - Invitation to the Dance
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| |  | Dvorak: | Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88 Wiener Philharmoniker Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 'From the New World' Slavonic Dance No. 1 in C Major, Op. 46 No. 1 Scherzo capriccioso, Op. 66 Slavonic Dance No. 10 in E minor, Op. 72 No. 2 Slavonic Dance No. 3 in A flat major, Op. 46 No. 3 Slavonic Dance No. 16 in A flat major, Op. 72 No. 8 Slavonic Dance No. 7 in C minor, Op. 46 No. 7 | Smetana: | Má Vlast: Vysehrad Má Vlast: Vltava The Bartered Bride: Three Dances (Polka, Furiant, Skocná - Dance of the Comedians) |
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| | | |  | Slavonic Festival
| | | (also available to download from $6.00) | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. (Available now to download.) |
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