Orchestral Works, Vol. 4

This fourth volume in the first complete recording of the orchestral works of Zdeněk Fibich features shorter orchestral works and occasional pieces for theatre projects. They include the evocative overture A Night at Karlštejn Castle, the Mendelssohnian overture to the incidental music for The Jew of Prague, as well as the witty and elegant ballet music from the opera Hedy. Specially prepared from original sources for this recording by Marek Štilec, the four Tableaux vivants ('staged pictures') reflect a 19th-century Central European fashion for staged pieces, including fanfares, majestic ceremony and regal splendour, not intended to outlive their immediate purpose.

This fourth volume in our première edition of the complete orchestral works of Zdeněk Fibich has rich pickings in terms of rarely heard works and first recordings of pieces in special new editions prepared by conductor Marek Štilec. Acclaim for previous releases in this collection saw volume 1 (8572985) made a MusicWeb International 'Recording of the Year', the same source considering volume 2 (8573157) "excellent enough to withstand the most exalted competition. The recording is rich and full, giving full justice to the luscious scoring. The use of scholarly versions of the music… gives this new CD a real edge over its rivals". Volume 3 is available on 8573197.