Šejna K. - (Mozart W.A., Beethoven L.v., Schubert F., Mahler G.) / M.Tauberová, CPO

CD 1

1. Wolgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 -1791) - Le nozze di Figaro. Opera in 4 Acts, K 492 - Overture 4:22

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Symphony No. 38 in D major "Prague", K 504 22:17

2. I. Adagio - Allegro 10:17

3. II. Andante 7:55

4. III. Finale. Presto 4:00

5. La clemenza di Tito. Opera in 2 Acts, K 621 - Overture 4:51

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 -1827) - Symphony No. 6 in F major "Pastoral", Op. 68 38:37

6. I. Allegro ma non troppo.

Erwachen heiterer Empfindungen bei der Ankunft auf dem Lande / Awakening of cheerful feelings upon arrival in the country 8:51

7. II. Andante molto mosso. Szene am Bach / Scene at the brook 11:42

8. III. Allegro. Lustiges Zusammensein der Landleute / Merry gathering of country folk 5:31

9. IV. Allegro. Gewitter, Sturm / Thunderstorm 3:42

10. V. Allegretto. Hirtengesang. Frohe und dankbare Gefühle nach dem Sturm / Shepherds' song. Happy and thankful feelings after the storm 8:41

CD 2

Franz Schubert (1797-1828) - Symphony No. 8 in B minor "Unfinished", D 759 23:14

1. I. Allegro moderato 11:28

2. II. Andante con moto 11:42

Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) - Symphony No. 4 in G major 51:57 **

3. I. Bedächtig. Nicht eilen / Moderately, not rushed 15:33

4. II. In gemächlicher Bewegung. Ohne Hast / Leisurely moving, without haste 9:44

5. III. Ruhevoll. Poco adagio / Peacefully, somewhat slowly 17:43

6. IV. Sehr behaglich / Very comfortably 8:45

"Wir geniessen die Himmlischen Freuden" (from Des Knaben Wunderhorn)

Recorded at the Rudolfinum, Prague, on November 19, 1962 (CD1/1), August 7 and September 11, 1953, (CD1/2-4), April 5, 1956 (CD1/5), March 6-7 and 9, 1953 (CD1/6-9) and at the Domovina Studio on May 3, 1950 (CD2/1-2), April 6, 7, 29 and May 2, 1950 (CD2/3-6)

Maria Tauberová - soprano (Mahler), Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

Karel Šejna conductor

Rarely mentioned in the same breath as his illustrious colleagues Talich, Kubelík and Ančerl, Karel Šejna (1896-1982) was perennially second-in-command, yet despite failing to receive the credit he deserves he too played a crucial role in shaping the history of the Czech Philharmonic. Initially solo double-bass of the orchestra, he began conducting upon Václav Talich's request and in 1939 was officially named its second conductor. And he also remained deputy after the departure of Talich, who was replaced by Rafael Kubelík, as well as after Kubelík's emigration, when Karel Ančerl was appointed (originally against the orchestra members' will) to the vacant post of chief conductor. Consequently, still playing "second fiddle", Šejna went on to conduct dozens of concerts and make numerous recordings, which today rank among the finest in the SUPRAPHON archives. Period critics branded him a flexible and vivid conductor who always required an understanding of the style and consistently worked with detail. In 1972, Šejna rounded off a half-century of work for the Czech Philharmonic with Mahler's Symphony No. 4. Šejna's sensitively remastered recordings from 1950-1962, from the bracing Mozart played "with a light hand" to Mahler's fourth, are now released by SUPRAPHON for the first time on CD.

(Supraphon 2012)

** Gustav Mahler - Symphony No.4 was added to this 2CD on CDmusic.cz request to Supraphon