Vltava - Symfonie č. 9 e moll Z nového světa - CD

This recording combines Bedřich Smetana’s Vltava from Má vlast with Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 in E minor, “From the New World,” performed by the Czech Philharmonic and conducted by Karel Ančerl. These are two of the most frequently performed and recorded works in Czech music, presented by the orchestra most closely associated with both composers and by the conductor who introduced the Czech Philharmonic to the world. Smetana wrote Vltava less than two months after suddenly losing his hearing, answering speculation that the tragedy might paralyze his future work. The “story of a Czech river” became a symbol of all things Czech, a hymn celebrating the land and its people and traditions. Dvořák’s work in America, crowned by the triumph of the “New World” Symphony, demonstrated the international significance of Czech music, the strength of its tradition and its ability to reflect and help shape musical development worldwide. Smetana stood at the beginning of the phenomenon of Czech music; Dvořák made that phenomenon known throughout the world. Karel Ančerl, in turn, transformed the Czech Philharmonic into an orchestra of international renown, an authentic and unique representative of Czech music and musicality from New York to Tokyo.