Lahav Shani’s eight-year tenure as chief conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra is drawing to a close, with his move to the Munich Philharmonic scheduled for September. He leaves the Dutch ensemble in superb condition, as evidenced by their latest recording of Dvořák’s Symphony No 9. This rendition breathes a natural freshness into the well-known work, avoiding grand gestures or major surprises while maintaining the listener’s attention through its elegant restlessness.
First Movement Unfolds with Natural Flow
The first movement progresses unhurriedly yet inexorably. Shani does not overemphasise the phrases but grants them the necessary space and momentum to transition organically from one to the next. The prominent woodwind solos—such as the velvety flute in the first movement and the cor anglais in the second—make their presence felt without being overly signposted.
Lightness and Weight in Later Movements
Nothing feels excessively heavy, and the middle section of the third movement has a playful lilt that borders on humorous. However, the finale retains all requisite gravity, with its agitation and solemnity dissolving into a sweet clarinet solo before blossoming into something joyous and grand.
A Dutch Rarity as Overture
The album also includes an overture: Johan Wagenaar’s 1905 tone poem Cyrano de Bergerac, a Dutch rarity. While clearly inspired by Strauss’s Don Juan, it is easy to enjoy and showcases the Rotterdam players in swashbuckling form.
