Bad Blood

A friend recently bought a recording of the Dvorak "New world Symphony" with the Czech Philharmonic conducted by Gerd Albrecht. This performance, the 100th Anniversary of the the Czech Philharmonic, promised great things plus, was recorded live by my favorite Company, Canyon Classics. Nothing prepared me for the disengaged performance that I heard as Albrecht audibly stomped on the podium, trying to motivate them. This performance was a culmination of the bad feelings that had been simmering for some time over a concert at the Vatican which was vetoed by Albrecht. This conflict even involved Czech President Vaclav Havel, and eventually led to the resignation of Abrecht. Music and politics don't mix!