Mixed Media

CD of the Month

Slavonic Dances

Something in the style of Johannes Brahms's Hungarian Dances was requested. No problem for Antonín Dvořák—commissioned by his publisher, the still relatively unknown Czech composed his Slavonic Dances within a very short time. They ultimately turned out to be quite different from those of his prominent colleague, i.e. not based on folk models, but entirely his own and yet as Slavic as possible.

The piano version of his Opus 46 was a box office hit already. Orchestrated, the dances conquered concert halls around the world, while they were rather rare on stage. This is surprising, given Dvořák's rhythmic sophistication: He seems to repeat himself, yet each reprise of a theme turns out differently. This makes the compositions complex, even though they appear quite simple.

Sir Simon Rattle, who is intimately familiar with Slavic music through his wife, mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená, savors every delay with nuance, allowing the Czech Philharmonic to deliver an even more effective, one could almost say breakneck, sprint at the end of each dance, whether it be a fictitious furiant, a polka, or, as in Opus 72, a kolo. Listening pleasure is always guaranteed, and perhaps the CD will inspire a choreographer to bring Dvořák's dances to life in a convincing way.

Hartmut Regitz

Antonín Dvořák: Slavonic Dances, Op. 44 and 72, Czech Philharmonic, Conductor: Simon Rattle; www.pentatonemusic.com