This recording was one of the prize items in Philips’ revamped Mercury Living Presence series. Antal Doráti’s Dvorák Seventh and Eighth are among the most beautifully realized performances on disc, with exceptionally lively playing by the London Symphony. It’s been said that these symphonies “play themselves”, but Doráti imbues them with a vibrancy that makes the music sound ever-fresh while revealing much of the gorgeous inner detail of Dvorák’s orchestral writing. The Seventh achieves an ideal balance of dark melancholy and forward propulsion, making for a strongly affecting reading, particularly in the finale. Doráti’s Eighth revels in brisk tempos and bright, buoyant phrasing. The slashing rhythms and pointed articulation, especially in the outer movements, at times seems to anticipate early Stravinsky. The 1960s Mercury recordings offer astonishing presence, clarity, and impact; there’s little sonic compromise here, save for some mushy timpani in the Seventh. These top-notch renditions belong in everyone’s Dvorák collection, and thank goodness Arkivmusic.com is making sure they are still available. [1/24/2007]
