Presto Recording of the Week
6th September 2024

Czech Philharmonic, Semyon Bychkov

Dvorák: Symphony No. 7 in D Minor, Op. 70, B. 141: I. Allegro maestoso
Dvorák: Symphony No. 7 in D Minor, Op. 70, B. 141: II. Poco adagio
Dvorák: Symphony No. 7 in D Minor, Op. 70, B. 141: III. Scherzo. Vivace
Dvorák: Symphony No. 7 in D Minor, Op. 70, B. 141: IV. Finale. Allegro
Dvorák: Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88, B. 163: I. Allegro con brio
Dvorák: Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88, B. 163: II. Adagio
Dvorák: Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88, B. 163: III. Allegretto grazioso
Dvorák: Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88, B. 163: IV. Allegro
Dvorák: Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95, B. 178: I. Adagio - Allegro molto
Dvorák: Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95, B. 178: II. Largo
Dvorák: Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95, B. 178: III. Scherzo. Molto vivace
Dvorák: Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95, B. 178: IV. Allegro con fuoco
Dvorák: Nature, Life and Love


The Czech Philharmonic and its Chief Conductor and Music Director Semyon Bychkov present a new recording of Antonin Dvořák's Symphonies 7, 8 and 9, coupled with the composer's concert overtures In Nature's Realm, Carnival and Othello. The album is part of the 2024 Year of Czech Music. Dvořák's final three symphonies show him at the peak of his compositional power and international fame, and exhibit an astonishing range of style and expression. The three concert overtures were initially conceived as the Nature, Life and Love trilogy, but eventually published separately. They share Dvořák's audible love for nature and fascination for human life and passion. Presenting this core Czech repertoire allows the orchestra and maestro to once more demonstrate their congenial collaboration and full command of Dvořák's abundant sound world.

The Czech Philharmonic is one of the world's orchestral gems, recognised for its rich tradition with the Czech masters as well as European repertoire. Semyon Bychkov, who is internationally renowned for his interpretations of the core repertoire, began his tenure with the Orchestra at the start of the 2018/19 season. Together, they have so far recorded for PENTATONE Mahler's First, Second, Fourth and Fifth Symphonies (2022-2023), part of the complete Mahler cycle to be released by the label. The Orchestra is also featured on the albums Folk Songs (2023) and Czech Songs (2024) recorded by Magdalena Kozena and Sir Simon Rattle.

"This set is a treasure trove of delights, underpinned by the expertise and assured sense of stylistic mastery that these players possess in this repertoire. I sincerely hope that this will not be the sole instalment in Bychkov's exploration of the composer's symphonies with his Czech orchestra." - Presto Music, 6th September 2024