“Dad’s God was not the God of Vengeance but the Creator, who sanctifies the journey through the ‘valley of death’ through his infinite love”, is how Antonín Dvořák’s sincere piety was recalled by his son Otakar. Faith in God was for Dvořák the cornerstone on which he built his own life and work, hence it comes as no surprise that a number of his seminal pieces are within the domain of sacred music, and frequently linked with a strong personal story.

The first version of the oratorio Stabat Mater came into being after the death of his first-born daughter. In the wake of the triumph of its London premiere, Dvořák received more commissions from the UK, which gave rise to other paramount compositions: The Spectre’s Bride, Requiem and Saint Ludmila.

The instigation for the Te Deum came from New York, where following the premiere of the 'New World Symphony' Dvořák wrote the Biblical Songs, the apex of his oeuvre of this genre. The set also contains pieces that have been seldom performed (the cantata The Heirs of the White Mountain, Psalm 149 in the previously unreleased recording made by the conductor Václav Neumann, etc.).

At the same time, this new collection within the Dvořák series showcases superlative artists, and the listeners will undoubtedly also be pleased by the sensitively remastered sound of the recordings.

These are gems from the Supraphon archive.

Contents:
CD 1
- Stabat Mater. Oratorio for Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra, Op.58

CD 2
- Te Deum for Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra, Op.103
- Mass in D major for Soloists, Chorus, Organ and Orchestra, Op.86
- Biblical Songs for Solo Voice and Orchestra, Op.99

CD 3
- Requiem for Solo Voices, Chorus and Orchestra, Op.89


CD 4
- Psalm 149 for Chorus and Orchestra, Op.79
- The Heirs of the White Mountain. Hymn from the Poem by Vítězslav Hálek for Chorus and Orchestra, Op.30

CD 5/6
- Saint Ludmila. Oratorio for Soli, Chorus and Orchestra, Op.71

CD 7
- The Spectre´s Bride. Dramatic Cantata to the Words by Karel Jaromír Erben, Op.69

CD 8
- Ave maris stella for Baritone and Organ, Op.19A
- O sanctissima for Alto, Baritone and Organ, Op.19A
- Ave Maria for Alto and Organ, Op.19B
- Hymnus ad laudes in festo Sanctissimae Trinitatis for Alto and Organ, sine op.
- Biblical Songs for Solo Voice and Piano, Op.99