Written in 1875 when Dvorak was blooming as a representative of the Czech folk style, Symphony No.5 is a hidden gem that marked a sharp departure from the heavy, Wagnerian Symphony No.4. The symphony is light, pastoral and relaxed, with lovely melodies which reflect the summer months in which Dvorak composed it and which reveal Dvorak’s abiding connection to his homeland. The performance was lauded by critics, including ClassikON, which wrote: “Chief conductor Jaime Martín approached the Dvorak’s 5th Symphony as if engaging in a conversation with an old friend. He shaped the sumptuous melodic lines and warm, rich harmonies with ease allowing space for his wonderful orchestral colleagues to weave elegant solos or rumbustious interruptions.” This release celebrates the publication of Dvorak’s Symphony No.5 as the second album on the MSO.LIVE record label’s Dvorak symphony cycle.