Product: The Dvorak Cycle, Vol. 1 (1993)
Rating: 5.0
Superb Seventh Symphony
Arthaus' Dvorak Cycle was recorded in 1993 in the Frankfurt Alte Oper, two years after the equally remarkable Tchaikovsky Cycle. The recordings are spliced from both live performances and dress rehearsals. For today's standards, the video is somewhat dated, but quite acceptable, and the sound is surprisingly good. The Prague Symphony Orchestra musicians are a first-rate ensemble and of course very much at home in this repertoire. Volume 1 is a clear winner. Jiri Belohlávek, arguably the most charismatic conductor participating in the Dvorak Cycle, delivers a superb Seventh Symphony: powerful, spited, lyrical and full of wonderful detail rarely revealed in other readings. This is easily the best Dvorak Seven available on DVD. The eight Slavonic Dances op. 72 are just as fine. Both the orchestra musicians and the conductor are enjoying themselves tremendously, and their smiling rapport transfers into great music making. Ivan Zenaty gives a heartfelt rendition of the Romance for Violin and Orchestra as an encore. Get this disk as long as it is available.