CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Dvorák: Te Deum; Psalm 149 In Nature's Realm; Overtures

from: Delos Records

Release Date July 08, 2003
Don't hesitate to buy this wonderful recording. Janice Chandler is amazing.

CD-Charts Position 2
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Macal Conducts Gliére

from: Delos Records

Release Date January 23, 1996
Many of us had been familiar with Gliere's third symphony and, of course, "The Red Poppy" ballet. These are lush, richly orchestrated, and very melodic works, filled with great feeling and drama.

This CD features a top-notch performance of the familiar suite from Gliere's ballet, best known for its "Russian Sailors' Dance." This music is really delightful and very memorable. There are some similarities to the ballet music of Alexander Glazunov (1865-1936), who was Gliere's contemporary and compatriot for many years.

While Glazunov eventually left the Soviet Union for Paris (where he died in 1936), Gliere remained in his homeland and remained popular with both the public and the Soviet government. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Dvorak: Symphony No. 9 in E minor "From the New World"; Symphonic Variations

from: Class. for Pleas. Us

Release Date April 02, 2002
Sometimes it pays to do a little extra surfing on Amazon. Those of you who have read my reviews know how much I like certain classical budget-lines, and in particular the original EMI Seraphim series. For less than a five-spot, you can still get some amazing vintage stereo performances by some of the best conductors of the last century. Unfortunately, most of the other titles in that series are now out-of-print, and some are even commanding prices five times their original retail list price in the Marketplace. The EMI Seraphim featuring this Dvorak 9th by Zdenek Macal was one such title. Sure it's a collector's item, but I always figured one of the reasons sellers were asking such an inflated price for it was that it also had to be good performance. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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Classical Princess: music for dress-up

from: Delos Records

Release Date October 24, 1996
This beautiful music will inspire me to play Dress-up...and I'm the Mom!

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Dolby Surround - Surround Spectacular - The Music / The Tests

by: Erik Satie, Claude Debussy, Antonin Dvorak, Antonio Vivaldi, George Gershwin, Manuel de Falla, Anthony Piccolo, Howard Hanson, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Gerard Schwarz, James DePreist, Dennis Keene, Frederick Fennell, Zdenek Macal, Donald Pearson, Noehren, Robert

Release Date March 21, 1995
Dolby Surround - Surround Spectacular - The Music / The Tests
I am happy with the product and was also happy with the delivery time.

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Bedrich Smetana: Ma Vlast (My Country)

from: Telarc

Release Date April 24, 1992
At least one major American publication of music criticism considers the Zdenek Macal-Milaukee Symphony Orchestra collaboration on Smetana's "Ma Vlast" the best performance currently available to buyers. One listen to this remarkable performance tells you why they think this: Macal, a native of Brno, Czech Republic, leads an authoritative reading in good modern sound with a middle level American orchestra.

What separates Macal's translation of Smetana's national language is the way he caresses the more musical and gentle phrases throughout, while still adhering to the big orchestral requirements of Slaivc nationalism that excite listeners during the "Sarka", "Tabor" and "Blanik" sections.

Indeed, it is Macal's leadership during Sarka ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Engineer's Choice II

by: Reyngol'd Moritsevich Gliere, Igor Stravinsky, Donald Fraser, Claude Debussy, Frederick Loewe, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, George Gershwin, Tylman Susato, Hector Berlioz, Andrew Litton, Gerard Schwarz, James DePreist, Zdenek Macal, Dennis Keene, Cichowicz, Vincent

Release Date November 20, 1997
At least one major American publication of music criticism considers the Zdenek Macal-Milaukee Symphony Orchestra collaboration on Smetana's "Ma Vlast" the best performance currently available to buyers. One listen to this remarkable performance tells you why they think this: Macal, a native of Brno, Czech Republic, leads an authoritative reading in good modern sound with a middle level American orchestra.

What separates Macal's translation of Smetana's national language is the way he caresses the more musical and gentle phrases throughout, while still adhering to the big orchestral requirements of Slaivc nationalism that excite listeners during the "Sarka", "Tabor" and "Blanik" sections.

Indeed, it is Macal's leadership during Sarka ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Richard Danielpour: Celestial Night

by: Richard Danielpour, Zdenek Macal, Philharmonia Orchestra

Release Date March 09, 1999
Danielpour is one of the best composers and shows it here. His french horn heavy music is even appreciated by this Trombone player. He has memorable moments and great movements. A must for any classical music fan.

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Spectre's Bride

by: Dvorak, Macal, Krovytska, Aler, Kusnjer

Release Date July 30, 2002
This masterpiece has been beautifully recorded. Macal is an incredible conductor that can change color with the slight of hand. I was introduced to this piece personally through performance. After listening to the recording, the attention to detail by soloists, symphony players and the Westminster Symphonic Choir simply moved me to tears. This is by far the best recording done of this work.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Dvorák: Requiem/Symphony 9

from: Delos Records

Release Date April 25, 2000
If Dvorak's setting of the Stabat Mater was greatly overshadowed by his famous orchestral works, his Requiem mass was overshadowed by his entire opus. After receiving great accolades, especially in England, for his Stabat Mater (also released on Delos under Macal), audiences wanted more, thus the Dvorak Requiem is born. While echoes of previous Requiem settings (Berlioz, Cherubini, and Verdi) exist, especially Verdi, the work is Dvorak's own. Set in two parts with an optional intermission, Part One encapsulates the Requiem Aeternam through the entire Dies Irae sequence and Part Two covers the Offertory through the Agnus Dei, all totaling just over 90 minutes.

The music is engaging. Of particular note is the short chromatic motif announced in unison at ... Read More: