Dvorák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 'From the New World' (LP)

"Harnoncourt eschews tradition for tradition's sake in the symphony. He approaches the score afresh, and the result is a reading both idiomatic and illuminating. Harnoncourt coaxes sparkling detail from the interplay of strings and woodwinds and allows the lower brass to come through cleanly. Trombones punch out the melody at the end of the first movement and the timpani strokes are crisp. The second movement flows gently, with beautiful playing from the woodwinds gliding over a lush, glowing surface of strings. There is no wallowing or point-making in this rendition of the famous largo. The references to Beethoven and Smetana in the fleet scherzo do not call attention to themselves, and the finale is urgent and majestic." MusicWeb revew of the CD release