COMPOSERS: Smetana
LABELS: Decca
WORKS: Libuse Overture; The Two Widows Overture; The Bartered Bride Overture
PERFORMER: Cleveland Orchestra/Christoph von Dohnányi
CATALOGUE NO: 444 867-2 DDD
Not for the faint-hearted, who might flinch at the sheer exuberance of these performances. Nor is it for the purist, who may regard a collection of overtures and operatic dances, topped off with the ever-popular Vltava from Má vlast, as a bit arbitrary. But for those who like good tunes, played with an extrovert sparkle that borders on vehemence, this is an excellent disc that will win Smetana many new friends. Christopher Lambton
Smetana: Libuse Overture; The Two Widows Overture; The Bartered Bride Overture
Not for the faint-hearted, who might flinch at the sheer exuberance of these performances. Nor is it for the purist, who may regard a collection of overtures and operatic dances, topped off with the ever-popular Vltava from Má vlast, as a bit arbitrary. But for those who like good tunes, played with an extrovert sparkle that borders on vehemence, this is an excellent disc that will win Smetana many new friends. Christopher Lambton