Fibich's symphonies find occasional advocates among his own countrymen, and the Supraphon disc listed above by the Brno State Philharmonic under Jiri Waldhans and Jiri Belohlavek likewise couples Nos. 2 and 3 together. Neeme Jarvi is the first non-Czech conductor of international standing to put his weight behind them, and these performances with the Detroit Symphony are considerably more forceful, making a much stronger case for No. 2 in particular. The music of both derives much thematic material from the suite of piano pieces known as Moods, Impressions and Reminiscences which Fibich wrote on every possible aspect of his romance with his young pupil Anezka Schulzova.
The idiom is late-romantic, recognizably Czech in many aspects (such as some delightfully sylvan woodwind writing in No. 2), but also under German influence. The first movement of Symphony No. 2 is strongly written and well-structured. Jarvi is excellent at making the most of this, and unfolds the melody of the Adagio (to an Englishman's ear almost Elgarian) warmly but without sentimentality. Of all themes it meant the most to Fibich, as it was identified with the moment when he declared himself to Anezka; and it returns in the finale. The Third is also permeated with Anezka music, and very well and originally orchestrated: performers and recording engineers respond enthusiastically to this challenge. There is attractive and interesting material here. Lovers of Czech music who do not know the works will find them well worth exploring.'