Dvorak: Symphony No. 7, Suite in A major - Fischer

Maestro Fischer extends his foray into the masterworks of Antonin Dvorak with a recording of the 7th symphony that I would categorize as brooding, dark and powerful. While not the only way to perform this piece, it is a very convincing interpretation. He builds climaxes in the first movement very well, wringing out every ounce of dramatic passion in the score. As performed here, this first movement could almost stand alone as another of Dvorak’s tone poems based on Erben’s fanciful “children’s” poems. This same theme continues in the adagio second movement, where drama presides over beauty. Islands of tranquility surrounded by turbulent waves of sound. Relief comes with the scherzo with its lilting theme, though the drama is never far away here either. Fischer adopts a rather swift tempo in the scherzo which adds to the urgency of his interpretation. The allegro finale caps things off with urgency and power.

The inclusion of the Suite in A ("American")is a nice fill-up, also well played, but I'd rather have had another of the earlier symphonies. Can we look forward to Syms 5 and 6 from these performers?

The stereo sound of this hybrid SACD is in the fine Channel Classics tradition – refulgent and dynamic with every instrument group sounding natural in a properly-balanced acoustic. Very, very good. Kudos to Hein Dekker and Jared Sacks, recording engineers, for a wonderful transcription.

If one is looking for a Dvorak 7th full of dark passion and power in excellent sound, this one fits the bill nicely. Highly Recommended.

(krisjan), SA-CD.net
4 June 2010