“Dad’s God was not the God of Vengeance but the Creator, who sanctifies the journey through the ‘valley of death’ through his infinite love”, is how Antonín Dvořák’s sincere piety was recalled by his son Otakar. Faith in God was for Dvořák the cornerstone on which he built his own life and work, hence it comes as no surprise that a number of his seminal pieces are within the domain of sacred music, and frequently linked with a strong personal story.

The first version of the oratorio Stabat Mater came into being after the death of his first-born daughter. In the wake of the triumph of its London premiere, Dvořák received more commissions from the UK, which gave rise to other paramount compositions: The Spectre’s Bride, Requiem and Saint Ludmila.

The instigation for the Te Deum came from New York, where following the premiere of the 'New World Symphony' Dvořák wrote the Biblical Songs, the apex of his oeuvre of this genre. The set also contains pieces that have been seldom performed (the cantata The Heirs of the White Mountain, Psalm 149 in the previously unreleased recording made by the conductor Václav Neumann, etc.).

At the same time, this new collection within the Dvořák series showcases superlative artists, and the listeners will undoubtedly also be pleased by the sensitively remastered sound of the recordings.

These are gems from the Supraphon archive.

Artists

Eva Urbanova (soprano), Vera Soukupova (alto), Beno Blachut (tenor), Jindrich Jindrak, Ivan Kusnjer (baritone), Peter Mikulas, Richard Novak (bass), Ivan Moravec (piano)

Prague Philharmonic Choir, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra & Prague Symphony Orchestra, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Vaclav Neumann, Jiri Belohlavek, Vaclav Smetacek, Zdenek Kosler