Dvorák: Symphony No. 9 "From the New World"

1	Symphonic Variations for
2	Symphony No. 9 in E minor
3	Symphony No. 9 in E minor
4	Symphony No. 9 in E minor
5	Symphony No. 9 in E minor
Dvorák: Symphony No. 9 "From the New World"
1.	Symphonic Variations for orchestra (on "I am a Fiddler" B. 66/3), B. 70 (Op. 78) 22:59
	Composed by Antonin Dvorák
	Conducted by Marin Alsop
	Performed by Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
2.	Symphony No. 9 in E minor ("From the New World"), B. 178 (Op. 95) (first published as No. 5) 41:41
	Composed by Antonin Dvorák
	Conducted by Marin Alsop
	Performed by Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

All Music Guide

Coming as it does after disappointingly turgid readings of Brahms' four symphonies with the London Philharmonic, Marin Alsop's powerful recording of Dvorák's "Ninth" with the Baltimore Symphony is a surprise. Recorded live in Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, Alsop's "Ninth" is robust and energetic, with muscular rhythms and stalwart tempos. Her Molto vivace Scherzo has real heft and weight and her closing Allegro con fuoco has drive and strength. Better yet, Alsop coaxes warm, characterful playing from the Baltimore musicians. The ensemble is tight and direct in the fast movements, but the playing is colorful and soulful in the slow movements. The burnished lower strings in the opening Adagio and the solemn trombones at the start of the central Largo are deeply felt and quietly affecting. Preceded by a brilliant and bumptious account of the same composer's "Symphonic Variations," this disc will add luster to both Alsop and the Baltimore's reputation. James Leonard

BBC Music Magazine

[July 2008 Disc of the Month] It is rare to be able to say that a performance forces one to listen to a work anew, but this is exactly what Alsop's reading achieves. Excellently recorded and with an elegant and witty performance of the Symphonic Variations as a makeweight, this is a superb issue all around. James Smaczny