BENDA J.A. SINFONIA, DVOŘÁK A., SUK J. SERENADES, TCHAIKOVSKY P.I. ANDANTE CANT./ V.Talich

Jiří Antonín Benda (1722-1795) - Sinfonia in B flat (cca 1760) 5:55

1. I. Moderato 2:53

2. II. Allegretto 1:52

3. III. Allegro vivacissimo 1:06

Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) - String Serenade in E major, Op. 22 (B 52, 1875) 27:06

4. I. Moderato 4:14

5. II. Tempo di Valse 6:39

6. III. Scherzo. Vivace 5:35

7. IV. Larghetto 4:30

8. V. Finale. Allegro vivace 5:57

Josef Suk (1874-1935) - String Serenade in E flat major, Op. 6 (1892) 29:36

9. I. Andante con moto 6:07

10. II. Allegro ma non troppo e grazioso 5:51

11. III. Adagio 10:15

12. IV. Allegro giocoso ma non troppo presto 7:12

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)

13. Andante cantabile from String Quartet in D major, Op. 11 (1871), Orchestral version 7:11

14. Song Without Words in F major, Op. 2 No. 3 (1868), Orchestral version 3:18

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

Václav Talich conductor

Mono studio recordings 30.3.1954 (1-3), 28.4.1951 (4-8), 21.2.1951 (9-12), 20.6.1950 (13-14)

Chamber music played an important role in Talich's life, especially in the early and later parts of his career. One of the most significant episodes of his life was the brief post-war story of the Czech Chamber Orchestra (1946-1948), an ensemble that was faithfully devoted to him during a period of unjust attacks on his character. In addition to the Sinfonia in B flat major by J.A.Benda, one of the leading personalities of early Classicism, and the Andante Cantabile by P. I. Tchaikovsky, this album offers two often-played serenades by Antonín Dvořák and Josef Suk. The Serenade in E flat major was the answer of eighteen years old Suk to Dvořák's advice to "finally stop with that constant minor and write something fresh and youthful". The Serenade in E major, one of Dvořák's most beautiful chamber works, was written in 1874 and was originally intended for the Vienna Philharmonists. In both we hear the genius of the composer blended with Talich's sensitive, inspiring interpretation.

(Supraphon 2007)