JOSEF SUK (1874-1935)
Asrael Symphony op. 27 in C minor
 
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The Washington Post, September 1, 1991:
"Dvorak's pupil and son-in-law Josef Suk was a fine violinist and a modest, highly capable composer known chiefly for a charming but unadventurous Serenade for Strings composed in his teens. But Dvorak's death in 1904 inspired him to the greatest creative effort of his life -- an intensely emotional, richly elaborated memorial symphony, lasting an hour and named "Asrael" for the Islamic angel of death. The emotional content of the work became intensified during its composition when Suk's wife (Dvorak's daughter), Otylka, died when she was only 27, and "Asrael" became an elegy for father and daughter. The full power of this work is felt in a new recording (Virgin 7-91221-2) by Libor Pesek and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic." --Joseph McLellan

Part One
1. I. Andante sostenuto (15:34)
2. II. Andante (8:23)
3. III. Vivace (12:01)
Part Two
4. IV. Adagio (11:15)
5. V. Adagio maestoso (14:47)
TT 62:09

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Libor Pešek

Recording: Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, May and December 1990
Producer: John H. West
Executive producer: Simon Foster
Balance engineer: Mike Clements
® 1991 Original sound recordings made by Virgin Classics Limited
© 1991 Virgin Classics Limited
VC 7 91221-2