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Dvorak: A Hero's Song, Czech Suite, Hussite Overture & Festival March

Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Antoni Wit

Dvorak: A Hero's Song, Czech Suite, Hussite Overture & Festival March
The Hero's Song, a colourful, rather sprawling tone-poem, was Dvorák's last orchestral work and isn't an easy piece to bring off. Wit finds genuine nobility in it, while his gentle, mellow way...

Dvorak: A Hero's Song, Czech Suite, Hussite Overture & Festival March

Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Antoni Wit

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The Hero's Song, a colourful, rather sprawling tone-poem, was Dvorák's last orchestral work and isn't an easy piece to bring off. Wit finds genuine nobility in it, while his gentle, mellow way...

About

Contents and tracklist

A Hero's Song, B. 199, Op. 111
Track length22:39
This track is only available as an album download.
I. Preludium (Pastorale)
Track length3:56
II. Polka
Track length4:50
III. Sousedska (Minuetto)
Track length4:36
IV. Romance (Romanza)
Track length4:32
V. Finale (Furiant)
Track length5:20
Hussite Overture, B. 132, Op. 67
Track length14:23
Festival March, B. 88, Op. 54
Track length4:52

Awards and reviews

2010

The Hero's Song, a colourful, rather sprawling tone-poem, was Dvorák's last orchestral work and isn't an easy piece to bring off. Wit finds genuine nobility in it, while his gentle, mellow way with the lovely Czech Suite also gives much pleasure. The opening 'Praeludium' is just a touch sleepy, but there's no want of lyrical affection or rhythmic bounce elsewhere and the whole performance radiates an idiomatic, old-world charm that really is most appealing.
As for the Hussite overture, Wit's clearheaded reading impressively combines dignity and excitement. Given such finely disciplined orchestral playing, the results are again both eloquent and characterful. This just leaves the rousing Festival March of 1879, splendidly done here, with the excellent Katowice brass sounding resplendent in their introductory call to arms. Recordings throughout possess a most agreeable bloom and transparency.

Wit's unhurried, thoughtful conception held my attention from first note to last, helped by playing of genuine applications and pleasing refinement from his excellent band... a very enjoyable collection.
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