Pesek’s Dvorak cycle is the first new complete set to have appeared for some years; indeed the recording of the First Symphony appears here for the first time. In spite of its all-too-obvious immaturity, Pesek readily conveys his affection for the work, especially in the warmly expansive Adagio, while the Scherzo/Allegretto has a pleasingly light, folksy touch. The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra respond persuasively. Pesek was their principal conductor for some years, so perhaps it is not surprising that they convey the music’s Czech idiom so readily.
The Czech Philharmonic take over in the Second Symphony, and although the woodwind have a special character and the strings play with much warmth, this performance lacks ultimate brilliance, partly the result of the cushioned sound. For the Third we return to Liverpool and from the very opening bars the music leaps out of the speakers. Pesek’s control of both the first movement and the expansive Adagio is so masterly that the whole is made to sound like one of the composer’s mature symphonies. The finale dances along with irresistible tripping momentum, and the lilting account of the Scherzo capriccioso and the brilliant Carnival Overture which follow reflect a similar ebullient spirit.
The Czech Phiharmonic return for No 4 and they begin the disc with a warmly touching opening for the Othello Overture – an excellent performance. They play with comparable idiomatic effervesce in the Symphony’s galloping Scherzo and vigorous finale. But the opening movement tends rather to amble along, instead of pushing forward as strongly as it might, and in the Andante Pesek seems to want to em- phasise the Wagnerian flavour and resulting brass sonorities.
The Fifth CD opens with a warmly lyrical if leisurely account of the Czech Suite where the CPO is obviously affectionately at home, as indeed they are in the lovable Fifth Symphony, a warm attractive performance in which the flowing stream of Dvorakian melody is clearly relished. In their hands the Scherzo combines charm with vitality, and the finale moves forward with splendid momentum.
The sixth disc begins with enchanted and enchanting Czech pastoral woodwind for In Nature’s Realm and a similar warm lyricism pervades the Sixth Symphony, with its obvious parallels with Brahms’s Second. But here, for some reason, the hitherto rich Czech recording becomes brighter, with a degree of fierceness in the violins, although the woodwind continue to glow. This is a distinct drawback in such a work but it remains overall a satisfying performance. nder the circumstances, I think Pesek was right to omit the first movement exposition repeat, as suggested by the composer.
For Symphonies Nos 7 and 8 we return to Liverpool, and at the magically evocative opening of the Seventh the ear notices the remarkable improvement in the sound, which is full, spacious and brilliant. This is in every way a memorable performance, sparkling and glowing, with a deliciously rhythmic Scherzo and winning finale – not hard-driven but frolicking, though certainly not lacking in adrenalin. The Eighth is equally attractive, opening warmly in the strings, and with the Liverpool orchestra’s principal flute on top form. This symphony overflows with melody, its Czech folk-flavour predominant throughout, with the lilting string tune at the centre of the Scherzo (my favourite Dvorak symphonic theme) ravishly phrased. The finale is splendid, and again the recording is first class, as it is on the final disc.
This opens with a delightful performance of the beguiling American Suite where the folk influences come from both sides of the Atlantic. The account of the New World Symphony follows on in a similar rather relaxed vein. It is not the most thrilling version on record, but an enjoyably expansive one, with a delectable Scherzo and a strong, bold, satisfying finale. With all one’s criticisms considered, this set overall gives much pleasure, and the Liverpool recordings, balanced either by Mike Clements or Mike Hatch, approach the demonstration bracket. The booklet notes are barely adequate, but these eight discs are enticingly inexpensive