Competent mediator of devilish joy
The Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Zdeněk Mácal evoked enthusiasm at the close of the "Rhine Summer" festival at the Wiesbaden Kurhaus.
Wiesbadener Kurier, Richard Hörnicke
Wiesbaden. Of Antonín Dvořák's nine symphonies, his Symphony No. 4 in D flat, Op. 13 is rarely performed, despite the fact that it moves away from the music of the German Neoromantics, which had played a fundamental role in his preceding three symphonic works. Particular evidence of this is the scherzo in the third movement, reflecting the true Czech musical spirit of its creator in its rousing, refreshingly urgent structure.
The musicians of the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra became true mediums for this "devilish frolicking joy" at the final concert of the "Rhine Summer" festival in the courtyard of the Kurhaus. Following a magnificent introit by the wind instruments with an excellent solo by the horns, the players lent sensitive Andante contours to the variations. The alternation between ebullient bursts and melodious passages in the first and last movement was handled expertly.
Behind the conductor's stand was Zdeněk Mácal, an old-school band leader in the best sense of the word who breathed life into every nuance with his precise conducting, which was also characteristic for the Symphony No. 7 in D flat, Op. 70. The inspiration for this composition, a work composed at the behest of the London Philharmonic Company, was the great impression that the third symphony of Johannes Brahms left on Dvořák. He hoped that "this symphony will move the world". Although reviews of the work varied at its first performance in January 1887 under the baton of Hans Richter, it quickly made its way to concert stages, spearheaded by Richter, Hans von Bülow and Arthur Nikisch.
The Prague artists lent an engrossing form to the militant format of the composition under the passionate wand of Zdeněk Mácal – in a striking and dramatically riveting study, strong accenting, as well as beautifully toned lyrical rests in the first and last movement, Poco adagio flowing in calm solemnity and fiery performance of the Scherzo. Exuberant applause in the Kurhaus rewarded the dazzling finale of this year's "Rhine Summer" festival.
