ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK

Dvořák’s 8 Humoresques (1894) began life as Scottish dances, that the composer wrote during a break from his job as director of the National Conservatory of Music in America. The first of these solo piano pieces was drafted in New York, so it has a truly international flavour. It is here played by the legendary Daniel Barenboim, bringing out every contrast, from grandeur to the lightest of touch.