SMETANA: My Country; DVORÁK: Slavonic Dances – Vaclav Talich, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra (LIVE 1939 – 2 CDs) SUPRAPHON

This album has received following awards:
Gramophone Special Historic Award (2012)
Recording of the radio broadcast of concerts from the National Theatre in Prague on 5 and 9 June 1939

Bedřich Smetana – My Country. A Cycle of Symphonic Poems
Antonín Dvořák – Slavonic Dances, Series 2, Op. 72 (B 147)
The Czech national anthem
The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and the Radiojournal Orchestra, conductor: Václav Talich

The sound, the name, the first international successes, as well as the first recordings made by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, are inseparably linked with the name of Václav Talich. The recordings contained on this CD originated under truly exceptional circumstances and document unrepeatable moments. The performance of Smetana’s My Country on 5 June 1939 in Nazi-occupied Protectorate Prague – and what’s more, at the National Theatre, perceived as a symbol of national cohesion – was an expressive manifestation of Talich’s patriotism. The moment’s sheer emotional charge gave rise to what may justly be considered the conductor’s finest recording of My Country and, following a long-lasting ovation, the enthusiastic audience spontaneously rounded off the concert by singing the Czech national anthem. The presented recording of this concert and that of Dvořák’s Slavonic Dances, which was performed at the National Theatre four days later, have been preserved owing to their direct transmission to several European cities. The recording was made by Radio Norway, which possessed the most advanced audio-recording technology of the time. Talich’s My Country, exuding defiance and a resolve to protect freedom, stands in stark contrast to Rafael Kubelík’s legendary 1990 My Country, which reflects the euphoria at the regaining of freedom. This recording, first released by the Czech Philharmonic, was hailed by the distinguished critic Rob Cowan in Gramophone magazine as perhaps the most powerful My Country to have ever been recorded.

Talich’s most powerful My Country – a forcible live recording from Nazi-occupied Prague in 1939

Reviews
”It is not hard to imagine what music portraying such a story meant to the oppressed people at that concert in 1939 and after having already burst into wild applause at the end of each poem the triumphant conclusion of Blaník is greeted with massed shouts of approval before the audience spontaneously launches into the national anthem. It is incredibly moving and all captured on a newly issued Supraphon recording.”
Presto Classical, 19th December 2011

CD 1
1. The original radio introductory announcement, June 5, 1939 02:29
Bedřich Smetana
My Country. A Cycle of Symphonic Poems
2. Vyšehrad (Lento – Largo maestoso – Grandioso – Allegro vivo ma non agitato – Lento ma non troppo – Largamente) 15:01
3. Vltava (Allegro comodo, non agitato) 11:58
4. Šárka (Allegro con fuoco, ma non agitato – Piu moderato assai – Moderato ma con calore – Adagio. Moderato – Molto vivo) 09:59
5. Z českých luhů a hájů (Molto moderato – Allegro poco vivo, ma non troppo – Presto) 12:37

CD 2
Bedřich Smetana
My Country. A Cycle of Symphonic Poems
1. Tábor (Lento – Molto vivace – Lento maestoso) 14:13
2. Blaník (Allegro moderato – Andante non troppo – Piu allegro, ma non molto – Tempo di marcia – Largamente maestoso – Piu vivo) 13:11
František Škroup
3. Czech National Anthem Where Is My Home (audience singing) 02:31
4. The original sign off 01:49
5. The original radio introductory announcement, June 13, 1939 02:53
Antonín Dvořák
Slavonic Dances, Series II., Op. 72
6. Molto vivace. Odzemek 04:33
7. Allegretto grazioso. Mazur 06:46
8. Allegro. Skočná 03:32
9. Allegretto grazioso. Dumka 05:30
10. Poco adagio. Vivace. Špacírka 03:01
11. Moderato, quasi minuetto. Polonéza 04:13
12. Allegro vivace. Srbské kolo 03:32
13. Grazioso e lento, ma non troppo, quasi tempo di Valse. Sousedská 08:17
František Škroup
14. Czech National Anthem Where Is My Home (from records) 01:04
15. The original sign off II. 02:38