What can you say about perfection, except, “Here it is; have a listen.” The conductorless Prague Chamber Orchestra plays the Serenade with an ideal combination of warmth and simplicity. Everything has shape (even the chugging accompaniment at the very opening pulses with life), rhythmic vitality (what a gorgeous second movement waltz), transparency, and an abundance of charm. The same holds true for the Czech Suite, only here you also can savor both stunning wind playing in the fourth movement Romanza and a truly exciting concluding Furiant that still keeps to its chamber orchestra proportions. Sonically, the recording puts you in an ideal seat to wallow in these Dvorákian delights. You simply can’t listen to this disc and come away believing that there’s any music in the world more beautifully written, or more perfectly played, than this.
