Edward Gardner conducts Dvorák 7 | Philharmonia Orchestra

Edward Gardner, the most exciting young British conductor of today – having gathered pace in his position at English National Opera – conducts this evening’s concert, featuring Dvorák’s Symphony No. 7. Arguably this is Dvorák’s finest symphony thanks in large part to the last two movements, which contain some of his most remarkable musical ideas, combined with rhythmic vitality and singing melodies. Janácek’s orchestral tour de force, the Sinfonietta, opens the evening. This grew out of immense national pride in the newly formed Czechoslovakia, clearly signalled by the massive brass fanfares that open and close the piece.