A big, bold New World, this, with a strong bass-line and a winning approach to the first movement’s second subject, where Robin Ticciati eases the pulse and has the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra’s strings smile gleefully on a warming glissando. The repeated exposition seems to ratchet up the tension a level or two, which adds extra justification for playing it. Most important, Ticciati appreciates the scale of the piece, allowing it to build naturally, patiently and powerfully, and with due appreciation of Dvořák’s translucent orchestration.

The (uncredited) cor anglais player in the Largo is superb, Ticciati’s reading warmly phrased, the acceleration towards the big restatement of the symphony’s principal theme (from 7'59" the oboe cheekily bending that initial phrase) infused with genuine excitement. At the point towards the movement’s close, when Dvořák passes his most intimate feelings to reduced strings, the playing is warm and affecting. The Scherzo is notably high in energy, the dancing alternation of winds and strings within the first minute or so well captured by the engineers, the Trio relaxed but not too broad in relation to the main body of the movement (and note excellent ‘pigeon’ woodwinds that trill away at 4'06"). Ticciati cues an assertive finale, resting fractionally between the opening two-note call to arms, so you experience a genuine sense of arrival. Here the strings really dig in and the timps are very cleanly articulated. Once on the road, Ticcati doesn’t miss a trick. The clarinet-led second set is very broadly handled (and what playing! – such a breathtaking pianissimo), while the music’s eventful journey towards that grand denouement, like the first movement’s development, is unhurried but very well judged. Had this CD been available years ago when I prepared a Gramophone Collection on the New World, it would have come fairly near the top of the list, of that I am sure.

The balmy American Suite picks up where the New World left off, a tuneful 23 minutes’ worth that opens like a summer sunset and continues roughly along the lines of the Slavonic Dances. Again, Ticciati and his Bamberg players are strong on rhythm, sonority and the music’s lyrical slant. A super CD, the symphony a fair match for Sir Colin Davis and the LSO, the Suite making it for me a digital front-runner. More of same please.