Some of Dvořák’s most popular orchestral works – his two sets of Slavonic Dances as well as lesser-known ones (Legends, Miniatures, Prague Waltzes and the B major Notturno) – were all recorded for Philips in stunning sound by Iván Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra. The Slavonic Dances were critically acclaimed when they first appeared in both CD and SACD format and the recording was considered a demonstration disc on SACD. The ten ‘Legends’ which, though sometimes dance like, are more often introspective in mood than the Slavonic Dances and much lesser known. The spirit of Wagner hovers over the rapt ‘Notturno’ – a work for which Dvořák had an especial fondness. Written a year or so before the Legends, and rather Viennese in style, the Prague Waltzes consist of a string of five waltzes with an exhilarating coda which refers back to the preceding numbers.
ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK
CD 1
Slavonic Dances, Op. 46
Slavonic Dances, Op. 72
CD 2
Legends, Op. 59
Notturno in B major, Op. 40
Miniatures, Op. 75a
Prague Waltzes
Budapest Festival Orchestra
Iván Fischer
Executive Producer: Clive Bennett
Recording Producer: Hein Dekker
Balance Engineer: Hein Dekker
Recording Engineers: Jean-Marie Geijsen, Roger de Schot
Recording Location: Italian Institute, Budapest, Hungary, March & May 1999
‘the playing of the Budapest Festival Orchestra under Iván Fischer is attractively idiomatic and the recording is first class in every way’ (Slavonic Dances)
‘The Legends are endearing, captivating, gloriously inventive pieces, the charm and character of which are conveyed wonderfully by Iván Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra and recorded sumptuously’ (Penguin Rosette Award) *** Penguin Guide to Compact Discs and DVDs