The Orchestra of the Czech Philharmonic, conductor Semyon Bychkov. Antonín Dvořák - CD Review, October 14th-17th, 2024

I.Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70

II. Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88

III. Symphony No. 9 in E minor "From the New World," Op. 95

IV. Concert Overtures: "In Nature's Realm,""Carnival," and "Othello"

After releasing an album in March with Bedřich Smetana's symphonic poem cycle "My Fatherland," the Orchestra of the Czech Philharmonic and its chief conductor, Semyon Bychkov, are back with a new recording to celebrate the Year of Czech Music. Numerous albums have been released on this occasion, marking the 120th anniversary of Antonín Dvořák's death, the 70th anniversary of Leoš Janáček's passing, and the bicentenary of Bedřich Smetana's birth.

This time, the Czech Philharmonic has treated us to a new double album released by Pentatone, featuring Dvořák's Symphonies 7, 8, and 9, along with a selection of his overtures, namely"In Nature's Realm,""Carnival," and "Othello."The romantic composer's last three symphonies show him at the top of his game, both in terms of his composing skills and worldwide popularity, showcasing a wide range of styles and expressive nuances.

The Czech Philharmonic holds a privileged position among the world's great orchestras and is renowned for its rich tradition in performing Czech compositions and the European classical-romantic repertoire in general. Since the 2018-2019 season, Semyon Bychkov has been the orchestra's principal conductor and artistic director, successfully leading various projects in recent years.Under his baton, the orchestra has previously recorded albums of Gustav Mahler's symphonic works, with plans to complete the entire cycle of the Austrian composer's symphonies for the Pentatone label in the near future.

When talking about Dvořák's symphonies, Semyon Bychkov says, "There is somuch more to his music than the melodic brilliance for which the composer is beloved.When you delve into the details, the score becomes much more intricate, as it is not only built on harmonies and melodies but also on the inner polyphony that enriches the music to the point of making it inexhaustible."These are the qualities of Dvořák's music that the orchestra of the Czech Philharmonic brings to light in its outstanding interpretation.