Its bucolic charms are well realized here, though there is stiff competition from Hogwood, Marriner, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and the Prague Collegium Musicum. Played by an ensemble of BSO musicians, it was one of the finest interpretations of the work ever preserved. Sonically it was a marvel. Nowhere else can the rasp of the string bass and tipsy burbling of the contrabassoon be heard so realistically. The Berlin Philharmonic plays with its usual impeccable polish in Maazel's new recording of the complete Slavonic Dances .
Angel provides good, though slightly opaque, sound.
These factors might satisfy well enough, but Maazel's leadership is fussy and, ultimately, dull. There are all sorts of strange ritards and sudden accelerations. The Teldec is even superior sonically to the new Angel with plenty of brilliance as well as superior definition of spatial relationships. Kleine Dreigroschenmusik . Music for a Farce .