This release features the Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart des SWR performing Antonin Dvorák's Symphonies No. 7 and 8, led by Roger Norrington. These two mature, symphonic masterpieces, full of wonderful melodies, preceded Dvorák's famous Ninth Symphony. They are magnificent works that have enjoyed enduring popularity with audiences. The scholarly English conductor, Roger Norrington, is a native of Oxford, England, where he came from a University family with strong musical connections. He was a talented boy soprano, studied the violin from the age of 10, and singing from 17, but his higher education was in English Literature at Cambridge University. After several years' experience as a violinist, tenor and conductor, he returned to his studies at the Royal College of Music under Sir Adrian Boult. His work on scores, sound, orchestra size, seating, and playing style has had a profound effect on the way nineteenth century music is now perceived and, not surprisingly, he is in great demand by symphony orchestras worldwide.