COMPOSERS: Dvorak
LABELS: Philips
ALBUM TITLE: Dvorak: Symphony No. 7; Symphony No. 8; Symphony No. 9 (New World); Symphonic Variations
WORKS: Symphony No. 7; Symphony No. 8; Symphony No. 9 (New World); Symphonic Variations
PERFORMER: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, LSO/Colin Davis
CATALOGUE NO: 438 347-2 ADD (2 discs) (1968-79)
Davis’s performances of Dvorák’s three best-known symphonies have long been admired and remain a safe recommendation. The conductor is best with the passionate and driving music in the Seventh and Ninth symphonies, and the slow movement of the Eighth. A slight tendency to overemphasis in the scherzi of Seven and Eight robs them of spontaneity, but should not deter either Dvorák’s or Davis’s admirers.
Jan Smaczny