Album

Performing Dvorák's Symphony No. 9 in E minor ("From the New World"), Op. 95, on period instruments requires less of an adjustment for the listener than, say, a collection of brass instruments in music of the seventeenth century. But conductor Emmanuel Krivine, with his group La Chambre Philharmonique, makes the most of the differences by choosing an interpretation that highlights them, and in so doing he produces a fresh recording of a very familiar work. Start with the modest size of the orchestra. It's questionable whether Krivine produces an "authentic" performance here; the New York Philharmonic violin section for which Dvorák wrote the work would likely have been larger than the 16 players on hand here. But one might rejoin that an orchestra in a medium-sized Bohemian city might have been just about this size. And they would have played instruments close to the ones used here, which were all built in the nineteenth century. The brasses and winds are the most distinctive, and they stand out sharply against the gentle tones of the gut strings. The trumpets and horns have a slightly rough timbre that emphasizes the Czech pastoral side of the music rather than its American flavors (which are in dispute anyway), and Krivine molds a brisk performance that emphasizes them. The slow movement of the symphony, with the English horn of Taka Kitazato laying down a seductive line over the purring strings, is especially lovely. The Konzertstück in F major, Op. 86, of Robert Schumann, rarely heard because it's hard to get four hornists who can handle it together in the same room, makes a fine conclusion, with Krivine allowing the hornists to introduce some attention-getting sliding tones. Not a typical "New World" Symphony, but recommended to both Dvorák lovers and historical-instrument devotees.

© James Manheim, Rovi

CD 1
Antonín (Leopold) Dvořák Composer Symphony No.9 in E- ('From the New World'), Op.95 Work 42:23 Emmanuel Krivine Conductor, Chambre Philharmonique Orchestra
1	1.Adagio. Allegro molto	12:08			$1.99
2	2.Largo (containing theme 'Going Home')	11:18			$1.99
3	3.Scherzo: Molto vivace	7:48			$1.49
4	4.Allegro con fuoco	11:09			$1.99
Robert Alexander Schumann Composer Konzertstück for 4 Horns and Orchestra, Op.86 Work 17:59 Antoine Dreyfuss Horn, Emmanuel Krivine Conductor, Emmanuel Padieu Horn, Bernard Schirrer Horn, Chambre Philharmonique Orchestra, David Guerrier Horn
5	1.Lebhaft. Sehr lebhaft	7:12			$1.49
6	2.Romance: Ziemlich langsam, doch nicht schleppend. Sehr lebhaft	4:50			$0.99
7	3.Mit grossen Ausdruck	5:57			$0.99