DVORAK. Symphony No. 6 in D major, Op. 60. London Symphony Orches- tra conducted by Witold Rowicki. Philips Q AL3570 0 SAL3570 (12 in., 32s. 3d. plus 5s. 9d. PT).

Czech PO, Seina (4/58) (1/05) (R) SUA10007

It is wonderful to hear this warm and appealing symphony in a good modern recording. Dvoi-ak may well have been influenced by memories of another D major

Symphony (Brahms's No. 2) particularly in the first movement but an interpretation as vigorous as Rowicki's shows how strong and individual the writing is. Sejna may in fact have been just as vigorous, but quite apart from the recording quality the issue has an advantage from the start in including the exposition repeat in the first movement. As Alec Robertson said in his "Master Musicians" book on Dvoi-ak, such a repeat is particularly important when the lead-back of 14 bars (not otherwise heard) is so interesting.

Rowicki, it is true, misses some oi Dvofak's charm both in the pastoral second subject of the first movement and in the slow movement, which is taken at quite a brisk andante instead of the adagio marked. But where with other conductors the tempi and vigorous style would make for an impression of hard-driving, Rowicki, as a Slav himself, understands the inflections of speech and disguises the very fastness. The slow movement comes to seem lyrical and not rushed at all, a warm compact movement, where in other hands with very Mendelssohnian melodies it can even seem too long. Not that Sejna with his much slower speed for that movement ever loses tension.

I also look forward to hearing Kertesz's Decca version when it appears as part of the complete Decca cycle of nine that is gradually being built up. The competition there may well be severe, but until a Decca rival is actually issued, I can certainly recommend this Philips issue with great confidence. Warm recording quality of a kind common with Philips. It was made, I gather, some 18 months ago. E.G.