Antonin Dvorak: Slavonic Dances opp. 46 & 72

A captivating set of Dvoraks complete Slavonic Dances (reissued here), in which dynamic contrasts are sharply defined through all the dances, and Pletnev and his Russian players consistently make one marvel at the beauty of the instrumentation (Gramophone) was generally considered the finest since Rafael Kubeliks classic account.The Slavonic Dances typically contrast music of great energy with material of a more reflective nature. The easy spontaneity of their general mood reflects the blistering speed at which they were composed the first set was ready in just over a month and a half. The original, two-piano sketches are covered in flurries of excited annotations, including hand-written reminders such as left-hand figuration and melody in the bass. The first orchestral performance of the complete set was given in celebration of Dvorakss 60th birthday on 8 September 1901, conducted by Karel Kovarovic. If Brahms, for all his expertise, doesnt entirely avoid an occasional hint of picture-postcard, gypsy music in his Hungarian Dances, Dvoraks Slavonic Dances bear the unmistakable imprint of their creator in every bar. They remain one of the most popular works by this most treasurable of all Czech composers. Julian Haylock