Dvořák: Symphonies Nos 6–9, Smetana: Má vlast & Janáček: Sinfonietta

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Sir Colin Davis's recording of Dvořák's Symphony No 9 was the first title released on LSO Live, immediately establishing the label's international reputation. In celebration of its 25th anniversary, LSO Live presents a remastered edition of Dvořák's Symphonies Nos 6–9, recorded with Davis in the label’s early years, and now available in Spatial Audio.

As one of the leading figures of nationalism in music, Dvořák's symphonies exude the essence of his Czech homeland. The influence of his native Bohemia shines out from every one of the symphonies, which are full of drama and laced with rich folk melodies.

These recordings are paired with works by Smetana and Janáček, who also drew on the mythology and pastoral beauty of their beloved country. Janáček’s Sinfonietta showcases the Czech musical tradition through dancing strings and celebratory brass, while Smetana's six tone poems that form Má vlast depict the river Vltava as it flows through the countryside and into Prague.

Composer Antonín Dvořák; Bedřich Smetana; Leoš Janáček
Conductor Sir Colin Davis; Sir Simon Rattle (Sinfonietta)
Performers London Symphony Orchestra

Disc 1
Dvořák: Symphony No. 6
1. I. Allegro non tanto
2. II. Adagio
3. III. Scherzo (Furiant). Presto
4. IV. Finale. Allegro con spirito

Janáček: Sinfonietta "Sokol Festival"
5. I. Fanfare
6. II. The Castle, Brno
7. III. The Queen’s Monastery, Brno
8. IV. The Street Leading to the Castle
9. V. The Town Hall, Brno

Disc 2
Dvořák: Symphony No. 7
1. I. Allegro maestoso
2. II. Poco adagio
3. III. Scherzo. Vivace – Poco meno mosso
4. IV. Finale. Allegro

Dvořák: Symphony No. 8
5. I. Allegro con brio
6. II. Adagio
7. III. Allegretto grazioso – Molto vivace
8. IV. Allegro ma non troppo

Disc 3
Dvořák: Symphony No. 9
1. I. Adagio – Allegro molto
2. II. Largo
3. III. Scherzo – Molto vivace
4. IV. Allegro con fuoco

Disc 4
Smetana: Má vlast
1. I. Vyšehrad (The High Castle)
2. II. Vltava (The Moldau)
3. III. Šárka
4. IV. Z českých luhů a hájů (From Bohemia's Woods and Fields)
5. V. Tábor
6. VI. Blaník

Release Date 30 August 2024
LSO0571 | 0822231157120
LSO0571-D | 0822231157168

Producer James Mallinson (Dvořák Symphonies & Smetana Má vlast) and Andrew Cornall (Janáček: Sinfonietta)
Engineers Tony Faulkner (Dvořák Symphonies 7-9) and Classic Sound Ltd (Dvořák Symphony No 6, Má vlast & Sinfonietta)
Recorded in the Barbican Hall, London, September 1999 (No 9), October 1999 (No 8), March 2001 (No 7), September 2004 (No 6), May 2005 (Má vlast),and September 2018 (Sinfonietta)

Booklet in English, French & German

ALAC - Stereo 24bit 96kHz - Compatible with Apple devices (MacOS and iOS)
FLAC - Stereo 24bit 96kHz - Compatible with Windows and Android devices
MP3 - Stereo 320kbps - Universal compatibility
SACD - Stereo & 5.1 multi-channel - Compatible with all CD players

Available on streaming services

Reviews

★★★★

- Midlands Classical Music Making

Performance: ***** Recording: *****
'Davis offers a story and a sense of conviction that place his performance in a wholly different league.'

- BBC Music Magazine (Dvořák: Symphony No. 9)

'Magnificent performances. These recordings are a joy from start to finish.'

- The Express (Dvořák: Symphony No. 8)