Authoritative Dvořák from Sir Charles Mackerras

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In 1884 Dvořák visited London for the first time. His season there was a huge success and the Czech composer was commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society to write a symphony; a year later he returned to the UK capital to conduct the first performance of the resultant Seventh Symphony. 

'The English again welcomed me as heartily and as demonstratively as always heretofore,' wrote Dvořák. 'The Symphony was immensely successful.' The Seventh remains one of his most popular works. This week your free download is the lilting Scherzo from a five-star recording by the Philharmonia Orchestra and Sir Charles Mackerras (Signum SIGCD 183). 

'Mackerras's approach in the Seventh Symphony might be described as operatic, with a clear focus on dramatic detail,' writes Jan Smaczny in BBC Music Magazine. 'There is a huge amount to enjoy here.'

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