Two glorious Czech masterpieces are presented on this 2014 release from Alpha, performed on period instruments by the exceptional
Anima Eterna Brugge, directed by
Jos van Immerseel. Considering that
Antonín Dvorák's Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World" was completed in 1893, and
Leos Janácek's Sinfonietta dates from 1926, and the period instruments movement mostly has been concerned with Baroque and Classical era works, original instrumentation might strike some listeners as odd. Yet performances in the late 19th and early 20th centuries called for instruments that differ substantially in construction and tone quality from modern models, and the variety of timbres was much greater with handmade instruments than the homogenized sounds of today's mass-produced woodwinds and brass. When you hear
Immerseel's historically informed interpretations, note the warm, vibrant tones of the brass (including the additional forces of guest performers Fanfare Janácek) and the hard mallets on the timpani in the Sinfonietta, as well as the lighter, more transparent strings and penetrating woodwinds in the Symphony. This is not a conventional orchestral sound by any stretch of the imagination, but because it is wonderful in its richness and freshness, some will prefer this recording over mainstream renditions. Highly recommended.