Andrea Battistoni; Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak: New World Symp/ Ifukube: Sinfonia Tapkaara

In 2018 the DENON label released a real hit with the Symphony No. 9 From the New World by Antonin Dvorak. In addition, the formidable Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Andrea Battistoni plays the Sinfonia Tapkaara by Akira Ifukube.The familiar New World Symphony is complemeted by Akira Ifukube's colourful and sprawling Sinfonia. Dynamic performances too, from the Tokyo Philharmonic. BBC Music MagazineThanks to the cooperation with MDG, the production is now available outside Japan and shows surprising similarities between Slavic idiom, American folklore and the sounds of the Native Americans of Hokkaido.Ifukube has gained worldwide fame with his numerousfilm scores, including the legendary Godzilla series. Thecomposer himself is from Hokkaido, northernmost mainisland of Japan. The Ainu, Hokkaido's indigenous people, have always maintained close contact with the peoples of Russia's Far East, which is very close here.Russian Slavic elements repeatedly occur in Ainu music,and Ifukube rewardingly incorporates them into hiscompositions.As an 'encore' on this recording, Battistoni and his large symphonic orchestra give a Symphonic Fantasy based on the Godzilla film series - a fiery and attractive medley with the best of eight 'monster' films.