Dvorák, like Bruckner was a devout Catholic. However, unlike Bruckner, Dvorák did not have to compose religious music for church occasions. And, unlike the turbulent life led by the catholic convert Mahler, his life was one of domestic stability and happiness – if occasionally afflicted by periods of terrible grief and loss.

It was the death of his daughter in 1876 (she was just two days old) that co-incided with the composition of the Stabat Mater. The text dating from the 13th century depicts Mary at the foot of the Cross, mourning her son. Dvorák worked on the score for several years, during which all of Dvorák’s remaining children tragically died. Otaker aged 3, and his other daughter Ruzena aged just 1 year.

The Stabat Mater displays Dvorák’s knowledge of the oratorios of both Handel and Mendelssohn, and the work met with success at home and in the UK where he conducted the British premiere in 1883.

The Serenade Op.22 for strings is one of his most popular works, and dates from 1875. The work is full of dance rhythms and in the slower movements an introverted passion with a melancholic character. The long melodic lines show that no matter how hard Dvorák tried to shake off the influence of Wagner (his Third and Fourth Symphonies are heavily Wagnerian in places), the Bayreuth master still cast his shadow over the mature Dvorák.

Contents:
CD 1 [65’05]
Stabat Mater Op.58
1 I. Quartetto e Coro: Stabat mater dolorosa
2 II. Quartetto: Quis est homo, qui non fleret
3 III. Coro: Eia mater, fons amoris
4 IV. Basso e Coro: Fac ut ardeat cor meum
5 V. Coro: Tui nati vulnerati
6 VI. Tenore e Coro: Fac me vere tecum flere

CD 2 [66’02]
Stabat Mater Op.58
1 VII. Coro: Virgo virginum praeclara
2 VIII. Duo: Fac ut portem Christi mortem
3 IX. Alto: Inflammatus et accensus 6’51
4 X. Quartetto e Coro: Quando corpus morietur
Stefania Woytowicz (soprano) · Vera Soukupová (alto) · Ivo Zídek (tenor) · Kim Borg (bass)
Prague Philharmonic Chorus, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra / Vaclav Smetácek

Serenade for Strings in E Op.22
5 I. Moderato
6 II. Tempo di valse
7 III. Scherzo: Vivace
8 IV. Larghetto
9 V. Finale: Allegro vivace
English Chamber Orchestra / Rafael Kubelík

Recorded: 28–30 May 1969, Wembley Town Hall, London