Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)
Slavonic Dances, opp. 46 & 72
The Cleveland Orchestra/George Szell
rec.1963-65, Severance Hall, Cleveland, USA
Presto CD
Sony Classical 88697857482 [74]

This reissue from Presto has exactly the same contents as the Sony ‘Essential Classics’ bargain CD from 1992, the only differences being that this reproduces the original LP artwork and liner notes by Edward Cole translated into French and German, whereas the later issue has an essay by Eva Reisinger translated from the German into English, French and Italian. Timings are virtually identical, allowing for tiny variations as a result of remastering.

These recordings have for decades been my go-to, default-position favourites for this music, having listened to a lot of other recordings besides. I admit to being indelibly imprinted with them, but also maintain that they are one of the “classics of the gramophone” and I think I am in good company. My only reservation about this latest manifestation is that surely many people will already have it and, in any case, there is no reason why they should not have bought the old bargain disc, as I can hear no difference between it and this sonically – and the sound was always superb – the best of 60s stereo. There is a miraculous depth, clarity and absence of hiss in these recordings which makes them timeless – but of course none of this would matter were the performances themselves not simply the last word in verve, precision and sparkle.

Listening again – as I have many times before – I am struck by the presence of that indefinable quality which the Penguin Guide called “charisma”. One can, of course, point to all sorts of details – the dynamic grading, the presence of the percussion down to the tinkling triangle, the unanimity of the tutti, the sonority of the bass – but in the end this is just one of those perfect recordings which makes you smile. Szell has complete command over the slancio of the “furiant” numbers and the rallentando and rubato required to lend authenticity to the Dumka Op. 41 No. 2; the alternating lilt and drive of dance after dance are irresistible. Another factor is how every individual instrumentalist sounds like a virtuoso – which I guess they were; there can surely have been few better orchestras than the Cleveland under Szell in that era.

If you do not have this on your shelves or on hard drive, please remedy that omission. You really have no excuse…

Ralph Moore

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