There are several new wrinkles in this Czech recording of Smetana's Má Vlast to distinguish it from the dozens of others available. The most significant is the reduced size of the orchestra, which numbers just over 50 players. Conductor Jakub Hrusa in the interview-format CD booklet (in English, German, French, and Czech) doesn't give any particular reason for this choice other than to say that he forbade himself to listen to other versions so as to develop his own vision of the work. But it's certainly a reasonable choice; ...
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There are several new wrinkles in this Czech recording of Smetana's Má Vlast to distinguish it from the dozens of others available. The most significant is the reduced size of the orchestra, which numbers just over 50 players. Conductor Jakub Hrusa in the interview-format CD booklet (in English, German, French, and Czech) doesn't give any particular reason for this choice other than to say that he forbade himself to listen to other versions so as to develop his own vision of the work. But it's certainly a reasonable choice; not every orchestra of Smetana's time boasted the behemoth proportions of the full symphonies that perform Má Vlast today. Hrusa also tampers with the string writing in a few places to ensure greater clarity. The upshot is a cycle that is more transparent than the usual readings of this work, although not really lighter; the orchestra still makes plenty of noise. And those wondering whether this is a revisionist shocker can relax; having made these unusual choices, Hrusa sticks...
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Add this copy of Smetana-Ma Vlast to cart. $34.75, new condition, Sold by Revaluation Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Exeter, DEVON, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2010 by Supraphon.
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