Karel Ancerl’s recording of Dvorak’s scintillating ‘Slavonic Dances’, here receive their first release on CD. Recorded in 1958, they were some of the most popular LP recordings in their day and now receive their first exhumation on CD. The coupling is a rarity but no less beautiful – Dvorak’s three ‘Slavonic Rhapsodies’, in wonderfully glowing performances by the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra under Kurt Masur. While the Third Rhapsody is often recorded, recordings of the set of three are a rarity and this is possibly the trio’s most commendable recording.
ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK
Slavonic Rhapsody, Op. 45 No. 1 in D major
Slavonic Rhapsody, Op. 45 No. 2 in G minor
Slavonic Rhapsody, Op. 45 No. 3 in A flat major
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig
Kurt Masur
Slavonic Dance, Op. 46 No. 1 in C minor
Slavonic Dance, Op. 46No. 2 in E minor
Slavonic Dance, Op. 46 No. 3 in D major
Slavonic Dance, Op. 46 No. 4 in F major
Slavonic Dance, Op. 46 No. 5 in A major
Slavonic Dance, Op. 46 No. 6 in A flat major
Slavonic Dance, Op. 46 No. 7 in C minor
Slavonic Dance, Op. 46 No. 8 in G minor
Wiener Symphoniker
Karel Ančerl
Recordings: Musikverein, Vienna, February1958 (Slavonic Dances); Leipzig, August 1985 (Slavonic Rhapsodies)
Mastering: Emil Berliner Studios
‘The best available modern recording of Dvorák’s three gorgeous Slavonic Rhapsodies … the playing is lovely and Masur’s direction is musical and alert … This disc is a winner’ ClassicsToday.com
‘The Rhapsodies are delicate, almost ethereal … a truly lovely set’ Fanfare