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Antonín Dvořák’s Slavonic Dances are some of the greatest treasures ever composed for piano four hands. Prior to their publication, Dvořák’s fame had been limited to Prague, where he was based. On publication, however, the dances were a resounding success, propelling the composer almost overnight onto the international music scene. This success was the result of a series of strange and happy coincidences. In 1874, Dvořák, who was no longer a young man, applied for and was granted the State Scholarship for Artists by the Ministry of Education in Vienna.

With the Compact Jazz series offering plenty of fine single-artist starter discs, there should be no hesitation in picking up this multi-artist overview for that jazz neophyte friend. As usual, the price is right and the selection generous. Covering the '50s, '60s, and '70s, the disc includes both vocal and instrumental tracks from the likes of Sarah Vaughan, Bill Evans, Dinah Washington, Erroll Garner, Stan Getz, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday.