The best works on this compilation of orchestral music by Dvorák are the quietly delightful Silent Woods, the intimately sensual Nocturne, and the frankly sentimental American Suite. The rest range from the tolerable Polonaise in E flat through the irritating Polka in B flat major to the progressively more annoying Interludes (7) for small orchestra. The performances by the
Russian Philharmonic under
Dmitry Yablonsky are serviceable. Violinist
Alexander Trostiansky plays the Mazurka for violin and orchestra with panache.
Yablonsky puts down the baton and takes up the cello for Silent Woods and his performance is persuasive. For listeners who have to hear everything Dvorák ever wrote, this disc is essential. For the casual classical listener, this disc will be of little interest. Naxos' 2003 Moscow sound is warm but shallow.