Dvorak - Symphony No.3; Carnival Overture; Symphonic Variations

Anotin DVORAK (1841-1904)

Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 10

Carnival Overture, Op.92

Symphonic Variations, Op. 78

Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Neeme Jarvi

Recorded in the Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow on 7 & 24-26 August 1987

This disc combines two very well-known works with one that might be unknown to many potential purchasers. Those familiar with the remarkably successful partnerships between Jarvi and the Scottish National Orchestra on the one hand and that between Chandos and the Scottish orchestra on the other can be assured that those very successful links are maintained in this issue.

The overture is given an ebullient and outward reaching performance that runs the earlier famous Kertesz LSO vision very close. This could be a reference version for many collectors and so might be the Symphonic Variations which is full of subtleties as well as exuberance.

The symphony is often described as having Brahmsian features in terms of orchestral colours. This is not helpful and denies the very marked Slavonic tonal palette and underlying Slavonic dance rhythms underpinning so much of the work. This is a far cry from Brahms' world of orchestral textures and thematic construction. Dvorak emphasises the lyric nature of his mature style in this work which could lay claim to being his first symphony to sound truly Dvorakian in its basic nature.

These lyrical and dance-infused features are fully brought out by Jarvi and the less driven nature of his performance is immediately apparent from the start of the first movement. This has been part of this reviewer's collection since it was first issued and was mistakenly given to a friend. The current copy is a replacement and a very welcome one at that. It is much preferred to the fine versions found in the complete sets by Kertesz, Serebrier and Suitner, all three of which are justifiably renowned.

This then is a fine disc in many ways - interpretation, sound quality and length of playing time. Well worth while locating and collecting at this late stage.