Novák has been noted for saying he never heard the music of Claude Debussy. We should not be dismissive of this. As unique as Debussy was to impressionist music and to this day still is, so too is the music of Vit'zslav Novák and comparably so. In possibly his greatest composition, "Pan" for the piano, which he later orchestrated with great skill and is presented on this CD, we see mountains in all their turbulent and mighty majesty, we experience the profound structure and ambience of the forest, we are cast about the sea in its mighty currents and swirling waves; this is music that is memorable, stimulating to the senses, and expertly crafted. It stands alongside the best that Debussy has to offer, and at times I feel, surpasses it. For Novák to have been musically original in his intentions and inspirations, this music is undeniable proof of this.The Slovak Philharmonic plays with rapture and expression allowing the music to flow with grace as well as power. They grasp the depth and emotion required of such an impassioned work, or should I say an "impressionistic" work with delicacy and ease. While lacking at times in intonation, the orchestra and Maestro Bílek present us with an extraordinary and superb reading of one of the great impressionist works of all time.