The BBC Symphony shows its Bohemian side

Unlike his Russian contemporary Tchaikovsky, whose world was churning in constant turmoil, Czech composer Antonin Dvorak inhabited a settled landscape. Dvorak was a model of contentment, and we hear that in his Fifth and Sixth Symphonies, featured on this new recording. Czech conductor Jiri Belohlavek took the helm of the BBC Symphony Orchestra this past summer during the BBC Proms. On their first recording together, he seems eager to share his innate knowledge of this music with this British ensemble.

Dvorak was especially fond of his Symphony No. 5, partly because it represented a happy time in his life. He composed it in 1875, shortly after winning an Austrian state stipend that was awarded annually to "poor, young, talented artists." Finally, at age 33, Dvorak had some financial security, allowing him to relax and focus completely on composing. Using Beethoven's "Pastoral" Symphony as his model, Dvorak composed his Symphony No. 5 in just five weeks.

After hearing the opening movement, one critic said he sensed "rustling woods, the song of birds, the fragrance of fields and the strong breath of nature rejoicing." Dvorak must have been thrilled with that assessment because nature was his personal passion. He often took long, peaceful walks in the woods, listening for the songs of birds, which often made their way into his music. The Symphony No. 5 is no exception. The clarinets open the first movement with a fluttering theme that could have easily been inspired by singing birds flying into the wind on a brisk spring morning.

While springtime often comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, Dvorak's Fifth Symphony does just the opposite. It begins gently, but the final movement roars. Its stormy, unsettled mood doesn't last long, though. As the familiar clarinet theme from the beginning returns, so does the cheerful disposition heard in the first movement.

Five years later, Dvorak tackled his Symphony No. 6. This symphony paints a vivid portrait of the sunny Czech countryside Dvorak called home. The first movement is beaming with optimism. Horns and divided violas softly play syncopated chords, setting the stage for the bassoons, cellos and basses to join in. The spirit of Dvorak's mentor, Johannes Brahms, may be present in this symphony. Brahms had recently completed his Symphony No. 1 in D major and Dvorak composed this symphony in the same key. Dvorak adds his own Czech accent, however, by including various folk dances from his homeland. In the third movement, marked Scherzo, the composer takes a syncopated rustic dance and turns it into rhythmic poetry by stamping his own signature on it.

A rarely heard symphonic poem closes out the first disc of this two-CD set of orchestral works by Dvorak. One of his students thought it sounded heroic, so Dvorak called it "The Hero's Song." Dvorak said he intended to express the championing spirit of the artist. The BBC Symphony Orchestra and Czech conductor Jiri Belohlavek not only represent that essence, they capture Dvorak's artistic spirit with great enthusiasm and technical brilliance.

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