The BBC Midland Orchestra
Leader, Alfred Cave
Conducted by Leslie Heward
After a highly successful visit to England in March, 1884, and another later in the year, Dvorak was assured of the esteem and affection of the English people. When he came again in 1890, he was naturally invited to conduct at a concert of the Philharmonic Society.
For this occasion he had brought the score and parts of a new symphony which was exceedingly well received. This was the fourth symphony (Op. 88, in G), one of his most delightful works, brim full of lovely melody and scored with those transparent orchestral colours that infallibly proclaimed the hand of Dvorak. No other composer has ever come so near to Schubert's ' linked sweetness long drawn out', and this symphony is one of the most Schubertian of all his works.
Dvorak's Fifth Symphony, 'The
New World ', ranks with Schubert's 'Unfinished' and Tchaikovsky's ' Pathetic ' as one of the most justly popular of all symphonies ; if the Fourth were better known, it would speedily rival ' The New World '.