Rachaminov, Liszt and Dvořák

London has always had a soft spot for Antonín Dvořák's music. In the 1880s the Czech composer hadn’t quite achieved the grand, patriarchal status that would see him travel to America and produce the Ninth Symphony (see 6 October). But still London recognised his talent, and begged Dvořák to fulfil a commission. Soon he excitedly agreed, and the urge to impress England drew from him a piece that would overshadow anything he had previously written. Here is the result: the Seventh Symphony, a work of vibrancy, colour and depth. Only a piece brimming with such alluring rhythms and tunefulness can follow Rachmaninov’s devilish Paganini Rhapsody.