Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 "From the New World" & 2 Slavonic Dances Houston Symphony & Andrés Orozco-Estrada

• Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904): Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95, B. 178 "From the New World":
• 1 I. Adagio - Allegro molto 12:57
• 2 II. Largo 12:27
• 3 III. Molto vivace 07:54
• 4 IV. Allegro con fuoco 12:17
• Slavonic Dances, Op. 46, B. 83:
• 5 No. 3 in A-Flat Major 04:55
• 6 No. 5 in A Major 03:26
• Total Runtime 53:56

Info for Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 "From the New World" & 2 Slavonic Dances

"Dvorak's New World Symphony is counted among the most successful and distinctive symphonies ever written and it loses none of its drama or appeal on repeated playing. Inspired by American spirituals and Henry Longfellow's epic poem The Song of Hiawatha, this infectiously tuneful work with its brilliantly colourful orchestration and rhythmic verve has its creative wellspring in Dvorak's own homesickness. It was condescendingly described by his critics as a "Czech composer's impression of the country" but its qualities were never in doubt and its inventiveness and warmth radiate from every page. From beautiful, wistful melodies, to unfettered exuberance and glorious, sustained climaxes, this extraordinary symphony has it all.

Dvorak's evergreen Slavonic Dances Op. 46 (of which two are heard in this recording) are equally popular with audiences. Responsible for establishing Dvorak's international reputation, these utterly charming pieces overflow with appealing melodies and catchy rhythms, their freshness and simplicity concealing their artful construction.

Andrés Orozco-Estrada is one of the most sought after conductors of his generation. Music Director of the Houston Symphony and Chief Conductor of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, he is also Principal Guest Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He has been widely praised for his style and command, Die Presse remarking "The orchestra was on top form, displaying precision and clarity in equal measure... packed with drama and finely balanced under Andrés Orozco-Estrada's direction." (August 2016) This is Orozco-Estrada's fifth recording for PENTATONE. His earlier discs of Dvo ák symphonies were described as "Vivid and colourful, overall well balanced" (Pizzicato) "an interpretation full of theatricality, with a sure sense of the monumental" (Gramophone).

Future releases from PENTATONE with Orozco-Estrada in 2017 include Haydn s Die Schöpfung with the Houston Symphony, and Richard Strauss s opera Salome with the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra."

Houston Symphony
Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor

Andrés Orozco-Estrada
Houston Symphony Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada began his tenure in the 2014-15 season. He immediately established a dynamic presence on the podium and a deep bond with the musicians of the orchestra. Andrés carefully curates his programs to feature engaging combinations of classical masterworks paired with the music of today, significant artistic collaborations with composers and guest artists, and innovative use of multimedia and visual effects, all in order to make meaningful connections with the audience.

In the 2016-17 season, Andrés will continue to engage with audiences both with casual commentary from the stage and discussions with guests in “Behind the Scenes with Andrés” videos. On the recording front, Andrés and the Symphony will release the third disc in their critically acclaimed Dvorák Symphony series. Additional projects with Dutch recording label PENTATONE are recordings of the Music of the Americas, which will include Gershwin’s An American in Paris and Revueltas’ Sensemayá; Rachmaninoff’s complete orchestral piano works with Denis Kozhukhin; and Haydn’s The Creation.

Born in Medellín, Colombia, Andrés began his musical studies on the violin and started conducting at age 15. At 19, he entered the Vienna Music Academy, where he studied with Uroš Lajovic (pupil of the legendary Hans Swarowsky), and completed his degree with distinction conducting the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra at the Musikverein. Andrés burst on the international scene with two substitutions with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra: the first, his debut in 2010, standing in for Esa-Pekka Salonen, and then in 2012, substituting for Riccardo Muti at the Musikverein. Orozco-Estrada now regularly appears with many of the world’s leading orchestras, including the Vienna Philharmonic, Munich Philharmonic, and Leipzig Gewandhaus orchestras, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, the Santa Cecilia Orchestra in Rome, and the Orchestre National de France.

Recent debuts have included the Philadelphia Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Royal

Concertgebouw Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Oslo Philharmonic, the Israel Philharmonic, and the Mostly Mozart Festival in New York. In the summer of 2014, he also made his debut at Glyndebourne Festival Opera conducting Don Giovanni, which immediately led to an invitation to conduct La Traviata in 2017. The 2016-17 season includes debuts with the San Francisco Symphony, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

In addition to his post in Houston, Andrés is chief conductor of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra and principal guest conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Houston Symphony
Led by music director Andrés Orozco-Estrada, the Houston Symphony continues its second century as one of America’s leading orchestras. Founded in 1913, the Houston Symphony is one of the oldest performing arts organisations in Texas, and it offers a full complement of concert, community, education, touring and recording activities. Serving the entire Greater Houston region, the symphony’s home base is Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, and the orchestra also performs regularly in Sugar Land, at Miller Outdoor Theatre, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and other locations around the community. As a cultural ambassador for the city and region, the Houston Symphony has toured extensively, from road tours to military bases in Texas and Louisiana during World War II, to 16 performances at Carnegie Hall. International appearances include concerts in Singapore, Moscow and Japan, in addition to European tours with stops in England, France, Holland, Germany and Austria.

Booklet for Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 "From the New World" & 2 Slavonic Dances