In Slavic Rhapsody Ciconia Consort presents both known and unknown works for string ensemble by the five most famous Czech composers of the 19th and 20th centuries: Dvořák, Janáček, Smetana, Martinů and Suk. Due to an increased interest in its own folk-music, the rhapsody became an important musical form for Slavic composers from the middle of the 19th century. The word ‘rhapsody’ is derived from the Greek ‘rhapsōidos’ (classical professional performer of epic poetry in ancient Greece). At first, the musical rhapsody manifested itself as a song form, though later, in the middle of the 19th century, an instrumental form also appeared in the grand symphonic rhapsody. Rhapsodic music (in either form or subject) is made up of contrasting styles and moods, often with a theme common to folk melodies, interweaving the improvisational rhapsodic elements within traditional musical forms. This recording is the 4th CD on Brilliant Classics of the Ciconia Consort (The Hague String Orchestra), a Dutch string orchestra conducted by Dick van Gasteren, an internationally active conductor, who was Bernard Haitink’s assistant during the Mahler Festival Amsterdam in 1995. Critical praise for the Ciconia Consort on Brilliant Classics: ‘The Ciconia Consort does Castérède proud, dispatching the counterpoint in the finale with relish… I enjoyed this disc greatly.’ Fanfare (French Music, 95734), ‘The Ciconia Consort, resident at the Hague, are a fine ensemble, and this collection will not disappoint.’ MusicWeb International (American Pioneers, 96086).