I reviewed this 1935 recording of the Slavonic Dances when it was reissued on the BBC's Vintage Collection label (12/89—nla). Since then more of Talich's pre-war Dvorak has become available also some postmaterial, including the 1950 Slavonic Dances (Supraphon (CD) 11 0647-2—not submitted for review). All this activity is very much to the good, since no conductor has ever possessed such insight into Dvorak's music as Talich. The BBC reissue contained very poor transfers, but I'm delighted to say that thanks to good engineering work by David Lennick on Music and Arts's new disc we can now enjoy these 1935 performances in acceptable sound. The Czech orchestra were by this time a pretty good ensemble, and have just the right timbre and tonal blend for Dvorak. No praise can be too high for their playing, which is vivacious, brimming over with good humour, and highly expressive in the quieter dances.
The Carnival Overture is marvellously brought off too, even if ensemble is not perfect here and there. How joyously Talich embraces the outer sections of this piece, and how movingly he draws out those long, yearning melodies in its middle episode. A highly desirable and heart-warming disc.'