To mark the 180th anniversary of Antonín Dvorák’s birth, Supraphon has released a special 3-album set. Presenting a wide selection of the composer’s chamber, orchestral and vocal works, it contains recordings made by superb musicians in the second half of the 20th century that are still exemplary and unrivalled in many a respect. Dvorák is paid tribute to by renowned Czech Philharmonic conductors (Talich, Ancerl, Neumann, Belohlávek, Sawallisch, Mackerras, and others), instrumentalists (Rostropovich, May, Suk and Panenka), singers (Soukupová, Benacková, Urbanová, Blachut, Novák), choirmasters (Jan and Pavel Kühn), as well as the Prague, Dvorák, Smetana and Panocha Quartets. The album’s repertoire was compiled by Patrick Lambert, a former long-time music editor and BBC Radio 3 producer, a great lover and connoisseur of Czech music, who focused on the themes to which Antonín Dvorák had a strong, passionate affinity: the Nation and Homeland, the Slavonic Soul, Nature, God and Religion, Family and Humour. Besides widely known opuses (yet in lesser-known recordings), the album features many beautiful Dvorák pieces that are not performed overly often, including the cycles In Nature’s Realm, Love Songs and Poetic Moods, the Serenade for Wind Instruments, and scenes from the operas Dimitrij and The Jacobin. As Patrick Lambert puts it: “The new album is for everyone who wants to revel in the sheer diversity and profundity of Dvorák’s music.” Antonín Dvorák at his most beautiful – through the eyes of a great connoisseur and lover of his music.

Includes movements, arias, and other excerpts from:

Slavonic Dances, Series 2, Op. 72, B. 147 (version for orchestra)

Moravské dvojzpěvy (Moravian Duets), Op. 32, B. 60 (arr. for choir and piano)

String Quartet No. 3 in D Major, B. 18

6 Mazurkas, Op. 56, B. 111

Dimitrij, Op. 64, B. 127, Act II: Baťuško můj

Piano Trio No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 90, B. 166, "Dumky"

Czech Suite, Op. 39, B. 93

String Quintet in G Major, Op. 77, B. 49

Domov můj (My Homeland), Op. 62, B. 125a

Ave Maria, Op. 19b, B. 68

Violin Sonatina in G Major, Op. 100, B. 183

Cello Concerto in B Minor, Op. 104, B. 191

Symphony No. 4 in D Minor, Op. 13, B. 41

Dumka in C Minor, Op. 12, No. 1, B. 136

Serenade in D Minor, Op. 44, B. 77

Rusalka, Op. 114, B. 20

Jakobín (The Jacobin), Op. 84 (Sung in Czech)

Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, B. 9, "The Bells of Zlonice"

Love Songs, Op. 83, B. 160

Ohlas písní (Echo of Songs), B. 152

Poetické nálady (Poetic Tone Pictures), Op. 85, B. 161

Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 81, B. 155

Klid (Silent Woods), Op. 68, No. 5, B. 182

V přirodě (In Nature’s Realm), Op. 63, B. 126

Poetické nálady (Poetic Tone Pictures), Op. 85, B. 161

10 Legends, Op. 59, B. 122 (version for orchestra)

Svatá Ludmila (St. Ludmilla), Op. 71, B. 144

Nocturne in B Major, Op. 40, B. 47

Stabat Mater, Op. 58, B. 71

The spectre's bride, Op. 69, B. 135

Requiem, Op. 89, B. 165

10 Biblical Songs, Op. 99, B. 185

Te Deum, Op. 103, B. 176: Aeterna fac cum sanctis tuis