Review: Dvořák – Symphonies No. 7-9 – Semyon Bychkov

Semyon Bychkov became Music Director of the Czech Philharmonic in 2018, and it has proven to be a successful and fruitful partnership. They have toured extensively, including a trip to America this Fall. A major Decca recording contract resulted in an impressive Tchaikovsky symphony cycle. Another contract with Pentatone includes a Mahler cycle with four symphonies released so far, and a highly acclaimed recording of Má Vlast – reviewed here. Now, they offer the last three Dvořák symphonies, a repertoire recorded by every Music Director since Václav Talich’s 1930s albums.

Performances of the seventh generally fall into two categories: lyric or dramatic. Bychkov’s reading is particularly successful in balancing these two aspects. Dvořák set out to write a symphony that would, in his words, “stir the world,” and this reading seems aware of the seriousness of that intent. The opening establishes an anxious, determined atmosphere, the strings playing with plenty of cut and thrust in their gruff exchanges with the winds. Yet there is a gratifying relaxation for the second subject, followed by a grippingly dramatic Development.

The slow movement is lyric and supple, though I wished for a more expansive climax. The unanimous articulation and transparent textures of the Scherzo is a constant pleasure. The last movement is thrilling, though the Coda is a bit too controlled: this music is more manic than Bychkov allows; compare Fischer and his Budapest Festival Orchestra on Channel or Istvan Kertesz in his classic London Symphony Orchestra recording on Decca. 

The Czech Philharmonic, of course, has this music in its bones, and there is always something special hearing them play this repertoire. While there are dozens of recordings that allow us to do so, none offer the sheer excellence of Pentatone’s sound, which I find more impressive than what Decca produced for Jiří Bělohlávek’s 2014 cycle. Moreover, the playing reflects the reinvigorated energy and precision of Bychkov’s tenure. The tonal splendor of this orchestra is something to savor. 

The Eighth is also excellent, except for the third movement. Tempos throughout are well-nigh perfect, and in the Allegretto grazioso Bychkov is following the score’s metronome marking of Dotted quarter=50. Yet the music lacks buoyancy. Admittedly, a wealth of detail is revealed, but turn to Kertesz in London or Mackerras with the Prague Symphony Orchestra, and the music suddenly has lift and lightness. In the final movement, Bychkov restrains the horn trills – surely moments meant to be more uninhibited.

Bychkov’s “New World” is wonderfully paced and dramatic. The second movement, taking a little over eleven minutes, is quite fast (Mackerras takes 12’21”; Kertesz 12’28”; Nelsons with the Bavarian RSO 12’47”). The tempo reinforces the music’s folk-like roots, and the English Horn solo is ravishing. The first Scherzo features more razor-sharp articulation, its first trio again quicker than the norm, and in the final movement the playing finds a new level of engagement. Bychkov holds out the final chord longer than any other performance I know – interesting, but not especially effective. Despite the overall excellence of this reading, I find both Mackerras and Nelsons more interpretively imaginative.

The three concert overtures are a generous filler. The “In Nature’s Realm” and the “Othello” overtures receive vivid readings (especially the coda of the latter) but I find Rafael Kubelik’s Bavarian performances (DG) more atmospheric, as are Libor Pesek’s 1990s recordings with the Czech Philharmonic. The Carnival Overture is too reigned in; this is uninhibited music and needs to be wilder, but that is not Bychkov’s way.

Wonderful ancillary materials cap off an impressive release. Even if these would not be my first choice, the readings are always musical, and the sound of this orchestra is a constant source of delight.

Editor’s note: The physical CD and vinyl version of this album is expected on September 6th, 2024.

Image: Umberto-Nicoletti

Recommended Comparisons:

Kubelik | Kertész | Dohnanyi | Belohlávek

Dvořák – Symphonies No. 7, 8, 9
Czech Philharmonic
Semyon Bychkov

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