Otmar Suitner

From the introductory notes to Vol. ii by David Butchart: "This second volume of Music… The Universal Language (Musik - Sprache der Welt) presents another series of landmark sessions from Deutsche Grammophon's uniquely rich archive. As with Volume I, this set includes important recordings of conerstone composers such as Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky, Dvorák and Grieg; however, it also takes in "modern" composers such as Stravinsky and Falla. And more modern still, from DG's remarkable initiative Musica Nova, a series which championed postwar German composers, come selections of works by Karl Amadeus Hartmann and Karl Höller. Both were closely associated with their respective conductors (Fricsay and Jochum). Franz Konwitschny and Otmar Suitner join the roster of conductors, while the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra and the Dresden Staatskapelle appear for the first time. Also, a significant number of CD premières is included."

The most complete collection available of music by the father of Czech nationalism in music. Má Vlast, The Bartered Bride and the String Quartet ‘From My Life’: all written within a decade of each other, all so fundamental in their different genres in forming a Czech national identity in music that it can seem incredible they were the work of a single composer.

Music - The Universal Language (Musik - Sprache der Welt) presents a series of landmark sessions from Deutsche Grammophon's uniquely rich archive, important recordings of conerstone composers such as Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky, Dvorák and Grieg; however, it also takes in "modern" composers such as Stravinsky and Falla. And more modern still, from DG's remarkable initiative Musica Nova, a series which championed postwar German composers, come selections of works by Karl Amadeus Hartmann and Karl Höller. A significant number of CD premieres is included.

On 22nd September 2018 the Staatskapelle Dresden celebrated its 470th jubilee. The orchestra was directed by Bernard Haitink from 2002 to 2004. (Haitink turns 90 in 2019.) Principal Conductor since the 2012/13 season has been Christian Thielemann. Founded by Prince Elector Moritz von Sachsen in 1548, it is one of the oldest orchestras in the world and steeped in tradition. Over its long history, many distinguished conductors and internationally celebrated instrumentalists have left their mark on this one-time court orchestra. Previous directors include Heinrich Schotz, Johann Adolf Hasse, Carl Maria von Weber and Richard Wagner, who called the ensemble his “miraculous harp”.