This outstanding release from the Leipzig-based Accentus label highlights Jakub Hrůša’s remarkable leadership as the music director of the Royal Opera over the past nine years. He has made a meaningful mark in orchestral music, notably as the principal conductor of the Bamberg Symphony. The album features three compositions from the late 19th century, each presenting unique perspectives on heroism and what it entails to undertake a heroic quest.

Dvořák’s A Hero’s Song is particularly notable as his last tone poem—a 20-minute micro-symphony that transitions from bold determination to themes of melancholy, conflict, and ultimately hope.Rich in captivating melodies, Hrůša’s interpretation provides a powerful dramatic experience. Next is an intriguing finding: Glazunov’s symphonic elegy To the Memory of a Hero, composed when he was only 20 years old. This piece unfolds with a solemn pace and includes several instantly memorable motifs that are beautifully crafted by both conductor and orchestra.

Richard Strauss’s famous Ein Heldenleben is well-known among recordings; however, it opens with an introduction that can feel somewhat heavy against Strauss’s lush orchestration in this particular session. Nevertheless, Hrůša’s vibrant phrasing allows for the theatrical nature of the music to emerge—especially noticeable in its fluid central portrayal of both the composer’s wife and the hero’s poignant farewell from active life.