Slovansk tance – CD

This recording presents Antonn Dvoks complete Slavonic Dances, Op. 46 and Op. 72, performed by the Prague Symphony Orchestra FOK under conductor Tom Brauner. Before the Moravian Duets had even been published, the enthusiastic Berlin publisher Fritz Simrock commissioned the young Dvok to write Czech dances inspired by Brahmss Hungarian Dances. Dvok completed the sketches for the first set in a few hours, the piano four-hands version in three weeks, and worked on the orchestral version at the same time. Music critic Louis Ehlert then made the unknown Czech composer famous virtually overnight with an enthusiastic article in the Berlin National-Zeitung, comparing the Slavonic Dances with Brahmss Hungarian Dances and praising their naturalness, originality and joyful music. During the first year after publication, selections from the dances were heard in Prague, New York, Boston, London, Berlin, Dresden, Hamburg, Cologne, Bonn, Nice, Graz and Lucerne, among other places. Dvok is deeply rooted in the Prague Symphony Orchestras artistic identity through conductors including Ji Blohlvek, Sir Charles Mackerras, Vclav Neumann and Tom Netopil. This new recording draws on a profound interpretive tradition, while its clear and transparent sound captures the qualities of the beautiful Art Nouveau Smetana Hall in Pragues Municipal House.