Antonín Dvořák - Symphony No. 9; Carnival Overture (Seiji Ozawa)

Information

Composer: Antonín Dvořák

• Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, B. 178 "From the New World"
• Carnival Overture, B. 169

San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Seiji Ozawa, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: Decca

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This reissue presents a landmark 1975 recording of Symphony No. 9 'From the New World' conducted by Seiji Ozawa with the San Francisco Symphony during Ozawa’s influential early years as music director. Originally captured in quadraphonic sound by Philips, the recording has been newly remixed by Rainer Maillard at Emil Berliner Studios using the original four-track master tapes. Unlike conventional stereo remastering methods of the 1970s, this edition preserves a fully analogue signal chain by cutting the lacquer directly from a live stereo mix of the quadraphonic channels, delivering enhanced sonic clarity, depth and authenticity for audiophile listeners and collectors.

Seiji Ozawa (1935–2024) was a pioneering conductor known for his energetic style and interpretations of 19th-century Western symphonic music. Born in Manchukuo to Japanese parents, he shifted from piano to conducting after a hand injury and studied under Hideo Saito. After early success in Japan, he won major competitions in Europe and trained at Tanglewood. He held leadership posts with the Ravinia Festival, Toronto and San Francisco symphonies, and served as music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1973 to 2002. Ozawa also founded the Saito Kinen Orchestra and Festival, led the Vienna State Opera, overcame health setbacks, published Absolutely on Music, and received major international honors.