The Many Loves of Antonín Dvořák

Albrecht, Gerd, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Dvorak Quartet, Hruska, Karel, Klima, Alois, Kühn Mixed Choir, May, Angelica, Neumann, Vaclav, Panocha Quartet, Prague Chamber Harmony, Rostropovitch, Mstislav, Sejna, Karel, Smetana Theatre Orchestra, Smetana Trio, Talich, Vaclav, Turnovský, Martin

SU 4302-2

Antonín Dvořák at his most beautiful – through the eyes of a great connoisseur and lover of his music

To mark the 180th anniversary of Antonín Dvořák’s birth, Supraphon has released a special 3-CD set. Presenting a wide selection of the composer’s chamber, orchestral and vocal works, it contains recordings made by superb musicians in the second half of the 20th century that are still exemplary and unrivalled in many a respect. Dvořák is paid tribute to by renowned Czech Philharmonic conductors (Talich, Ančerl, Neumann, Bělohlávek, Sawallisch, Mackerras, and others), instrumentalists (Rostropovich, May, Suk and Panenka), singers (Soukupová, Beňačková, Urbanová, Blachut, Novák), choirmasters (Jan and Pavel Kühn), as well as the Prague, Dvořák, Smetana and Panocha Quartets. The album’s repertoire was compiled by Patrick Lambert, a former long-time music editor and BBC Radio 3 producer, a great lover and connoisseur of Czech music, who focused on the themes to which Antonín Dvořák had a strong, passionate affinity: the Nation and Homeland, the Slavonic Soul, Nature, God and Religion, Family and Humour.

Besides widely known opuses (yet in lesser-known recordings), the album features many beautiful Dvořák pieces that are not performed overly often, including the cycles In Nature’s Realm, Love Songs and Poetic Moods, the Serenade for Wind Instruments, and scenes from the operas Dimitrij and The Jacobin. As Patrick Lambert puts it: “The new album is for everyone who wants to revel in the sheer diversity and profundity of Dvořák’s music.”

CD x 3

Supraphon

2021-09-02

099925430221