Composer: Josef Bohuslav Foerster
Orchestra: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Marek Štilec
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Naxos
Catalogue: 8574336
Release: 2022
Size: 1.04 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
01. Festive Overture, Op. 70
Symphony No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 9
02. I. Adagio – Allegro con brio
03. II. Andante sostenuto
04. III. Allegretto scherzando
05. IV. Allegro energico
From Shakespeare, Op. 76
06. I. Introduction. Andante moderato “Zas, mrtvé postavy, mne oblétáte…”
07. II. Perdita. Allegro scherzando
08. III. Viola. Andante
09. IV. Lady Macbeth. Andante sostenuto
10. V. Katherina, Petruchio & Eros. Allegro energico
Josef Bohuslav Foerster was the successor to Dvořák as organist in Prague, a lifelong friend of Mahler, and a pivotal figure in Czech music, whose almost 200 compositions take in all the major genres. The three selected works here offer an overview of his orchestral music. Recalling several equally majestic pieces by Smetana, the arresting Festive Overture combines Czech flair with Viennese elegance, while From Shakespeare explores characterisation with warmth and resourceful orchestration. The early Symphony No. 1 in D minor offers a darkness-to-light trajectory suffused with rich mid-Romantic colours.