Dvorak: Legends, Prague Waltzes, Miniatures, Nocturne
Dvorák was a master of the miniature, as this attractive disc of some of his lesser-known pieces for chamber orchestra proves. He was also adept at recycling. Asked by his publisher to come up with something to top his enormously popularSlavonic Dances, written originally as a piano duet, Dvorák producedLegends, also for two pianos. More introspective than the dances (although no one knows which legends he based them on), the 10 movements proved just as attractive and Dvorák was asked to orchestrate five of them. Instead, he orchestrated the lot for small string orchestra.Notturno, a six-minute salvage job from an abandoned string quartet, is a wonderful discovery. Miniatures, orchestrated from a four-part set for violin and piano, which were themselves fashioned out of pieces the violinist found too difficult to play, are delightful, andPrague Waltzes, written the year beforeLegendsfor a ball in Prague, are enough to get any toe tapping. Throughout, the playing of the Budapest Festival Orchestra under Ivan Fischer is spot on.--Richard Fawkes