Dvořák: Serenades – Suk: Meditation

Prague Philharmonia, Jakub Hrůša

“In my opinion, as soon as Dvorák starts to be pompous, frilly, over-stylized, even rash or studiously virtuoso, the approach is wrong. My goal was to emphasize its simplicity and naturalness, because when this is lost, Dvorák isn’t Dvorák anymore.” These words of Jakub Hruša shine through the young onductor’s third CD, in which he again juxtaposes the works of teacher Antonín Dvorák and his student Josef Suk.

Dvořák: Serenade for Strings in E major, Op. 22
I. Moderato
II. Menuetto. Allegro con moto
III. Scherzo. Vivace
IV. Larghetto
V. Finale. Allegro vivace

Dvořák: Serenade for Wind Instruments in D Minor, Op. 44, B. 77
I. Moderato, quasi marcia
II. Menuetto. Tempo di minuetto
III. Andante con moto
IV. Finale. Allegro molto

Suk: Meditation on the Old Czech Chorale Saint Wenceslas, Op. 35a

“Still in his mid-twenties, Jakub Hrusa is a conductor to look out for. A pupil of Jiri Belohlavek, he has built up a formidable career in Europe and America. Here he draws superb playing from the orchestra which Belohlavek founded. Hrusa’s performances could not be more winning, and the Supraphon recording is full and vivid.” – Gramophone

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