Dvorak, Antonin

DVORAK, ANTONIN (1841 - 1904)

The later 19th century brought an increasing consciousness of national identity to various ethnic groups in Europe and elsewhere in the world. Dvor�k, born in a Bohemian village, where his father was an inn-keeper and butcher, followed Smetana as the leading exponent of Czech musical nationalism, firmly within the classical traditions of Central Europe. His early musical training was followed by employment for some years as a violist, for a time under Smetana, and then, with the positive encouragement of Brahms, by a life primarily devoted to composition. Dvor�k won recognition abroad and rather more grudging acceptance in Vienna. Between 1892 and 1895 he spent some time in the United States of America as director of the new National Conservatory, a period that brought compositions that combine American and Bohemian influence. At home again he was much honoured, resisting invitations from Brahms to move to Vienna in favour of a simple life in his own country. He died in 1904, shortly after the first performances of his last opera, Armida.

Orchestral Music

Dvor�k wrote nine symphonies, of which the best known must be the Symphony No. 9, From the New World, written in 1893 and first performed in New York in the same year. This New World Symphony derived some inspiration from a Czech translation of Longfellow's poem Hiawatha. Works for solo instrument and orchestra by Dvor�k include an important Cello Concerto, a Violin Concerto and a slightly less well known Piano Concerto. The Romance for solo violin and orchestra, and Silent Woods for cello and orchestra, make interesting and attractive additions to solo repertoire for both instruments. Other orchestral works include two sets of Slavonic Dances, arrangements of works originally designed for piano duet, and three Slavonic Rhapsodies. Overtures include My Home, In Nature's Realm, Othello, Hussite and Carnival. To this one may add the Scherzo capriccioso of 1883, a Polonaise, written four years before, and the splendid Serenade for Strings of 1875. The Symphonic Variations meet the challenge of an apparently intractable theme and the ten Legends were orchestrated by the composer from his original piano duet version. To this may be added the symphonic poems The Noonday Witch, The Golden Spinning-Wheel and The Wild Dove, works that seem to explore new ground, with their narrative content.

Chamber Music

Dvor�k left fourteen string quartets, of which the best known is the so-called American Quartet, No. 12 in F Major, written in 1893, the year of the Symphony from the New World. The composition of Quartets Nos. 13 and 14, in 1895, seems to have taken place over the same period. From the American period comes the G major Sonatina for violin and piano, its second movement sometimes known as Indian Lament. Of the four surviving piano trios the fourth, nick-named the Dumky because of its use of a Bohemian national dance-form, is the best known, closely rivalled in popularity by the third. Dvor�k's quintets for piano and strings or strings alone offer further pleasure, with the String Sextet and the charming Terzetto for two violins and viola.

Piano Music

The best known of all the pieces Dvor�k wrote for the piano must be the Humoresque in G flat major, the seventh of a set of eight. Close to this come the two sets of Slavonic Dances for piano duet.

Operas

Dvor�k wrote nine operas, the first in 1870 and the last completed and staged in 1903. Rusalka, first produced in 1900, provides a well known concert aria, O silver moon.

Songs

Dvor�k wrote a number of songs and a popular set of Moravian Duets for soprano and contralto. The most popular of the songs is the fourth of Seven Gypsy Songs, Op. 55, Songs my mother taught me.

Discography
Image	Title	Price	Release Date	Label
	DVORAK, A.: Requiem (Dvorak Cycle, Vol. 6) (NTSC)	~~$19.99~~ $15.99	Nov 18, 2008	Arthaus Dvd
	Piano Recital: Stott, Kathryn - SHOSTAKOVICH, D. / GINASTERA, A. / BARTOK, B. / DVORAK, A. / TCHAIKOVSKY, P.I. / SIBELIUS, J. (Dance)	~~$18.99~~ $15.19	Oct 28, 2008	Chandos
	DVORAK, A.: Stabat Mater (Dvorak Cycle, Vol. 5) (NTSC)	$19.99	Sep 30, 2008	Arthaus Dvd
	DVORAK, A.: Symphony No. 8 / MOZART, W.A.: Bassoon Concerto, K. 191 / BARTOK, B.: Concerto for Orchestra (Los Angeles Philharmonic, Mehta) (NTSC)	$24.99	Sep 30, 2008	EuroArts DVD
	PYONGYANG CONCERT: New York Philharmonic / Maazel - WAGNER, R. / DVORAK, A. / GERSHWIN, G. (NTSC)	$24.99	Sep 16, 2008	EuroArts DVD
	PYONGYANG CONCERT: New York Philharmonic / Maazel - WAGNER, R. / DVORAK, A. / GERSHWIN, G. (Blu-ray, NTSC)	$39.99	Sep 16, 2008	EuroArts DVD
	DVORAK, A.: Cello Concerto / Symphony No. 9 (Dvorak Cycle, Vol. 4) (NTSC)	~~$19.99~~ $15.99	Jul 29, 2008	Arthaus Dvd
	DVORAK: Symphony No. 9, "From the New World" / Symphonic Variations (Alsop)	$8.99	May 27, 2008	Naxos Classics
	Organ Recital: Quinn, Iain - NOVAK / JANACEK, L. / ROPEK / MARTINU / DVORAK / SMETANA	$18.99	Apr 29, 2008	Chandos
	DVORAK: Biblical Songs / Violin Concerto / Te Deum (Dvorak Cycle, Vol. 2) (NTSC)	$19.99	Mar 25, 2008	Arthaus Dvd
	DVORAK: Symphony No. 7 / Slavonic Dances (Dvorak Cycle, Vol. 1) (NTSC)	$19.99	Feb 26, 2008	Arthaus Dvd
	DVORAK: Rusalka	$34.99	Jan 1, 2008	Chandos
	DVORAK: Stabat Mater (Neumann) (NTSC)	$24.99	Oct 30, 2007	Arthaus Dvd
	DVORAK: Piano Quartet No. 1 / JUON: Piano Quartet No. 1, "Rhapsody"	$16.99	Oct 30, 2007	Profil
	BUSONI: 2 Studies on Doctor Faust / FRANCK: Psyche et Eros / DVORAK: Symphony No. 8 (1958, 1971)	$16.99	Jul 31, 2007	Profil
	DVORAK: Sonatina in G major, Op. 100 / ORR: A Carmen Fantasy / DANZI: Don Giovanni Variations	$8.99	Jul 31, 2007	Naxos Classics
	DISCOVERING MASTERPIECES - DVORAK: Symphony No. 9, 'From the New World' (NTSC)	$19.99	Jul 31, 2007	EuroArts DVD
	DVORAK: Symphony No. 8 / Holoubek / Polednice	$19.99	Jun 26, 2007	Pentatone Music
	COLGRASS: Winds of Nagual / DVORAK: Serenade / GILLINGHAM: No Shadow of Turning	$8.99	Jan 30, 2007	Naxos Wind Band Classics
	DVORAK: Requiem, Op. 89 (NTSC)	$24.99	Nov 21, 2006	Arthaus Dvd
	THE VERY BEST OF DVORAK	$12.99	Oct 31, 2006	Naxos Best Of...
	DVORAK: Requiem / BRAHMS: 4 Ernste Gesange (4 Serious Songs)	$33.99	Oct 31, 2006	Profil
	DVORAK: Rusalka (Dresden Staatskapelle, 1948)	$33.99	Jun 20, 2006	Profil
	DVORAK: Mass in D major, Op. 86 / JANACEK: Lord's Prayer	$16.99	Aug 16, 2005	Profil
	SUK: Serenade for Stings in E flat major / DVORAK: Serenade for Strings in E major	$16.99	Aug 16, 2005	Profil
	DVORAK: New World Symphony / TCHAIKOVSKY: Romeo and Juliet	$19.99	Jun 1, 2005	Pentatone Music
	DVORAK: Piano Trios Nos. 1-4	$18.99	May 1, 2005	Chandos
	DVORAK: Piano Concerto / Violin Concerto	$18.99	May 1, 2005	Chandos
	DVORAK: String Quartets No. 1, Op. 2 and No. 6, Op. 12	~~$8.99~~ $6.29	Feb 22, 2005	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK / BEETHOVEN: Chamber Music (NTSC)	$15.99	Feb 22, 2005	Arthaus Dvd
	DVORAK: American Suite / Silent Woods / Prague Waltzes	$8.99	Jan 18, 2005	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: Complete Published Orchestral Works	$152.99	Jun 1, 2004	Naxos Box Sets
	DVORAK: Complete Solo Piano Music	$44.99	Jun 1, 2004	Naxos Classics
	TCHAIKOVSKY: Romeo and Juliet - Fantasy Overture / DVORAK: Carnival Overture	$11.99	Mar 1, 2004	Chandos
	DVORAK: Serenades for Strings and Winds	$11.99	Feb 1, 2004	Chandos
	DVORAK: Rusalka	$29.99	Feb 1, 2004	TDK DVD
	DVORAK: Piano Quintets Opp. 5 and 81	$8.99	Jan 1, 2003	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: String Quintet Op. 77 / Miniatures	$8.99	Nov 1, 2002	Naxos Classics
	Classics Explained: DVORAK - Symphony No. 9, 'From the New World' (Siepmann)	$17.99	Sep 1, 2002	Naxos Educational
	DVORAK: Stabat Mater / Psalm 149	$17.99	Sep 1, 2002	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: Symphonies Nos. 1-9	$74.99	Jun 1, 2002	Chandos
	DVORAK : THE COMPLETE SYMPHONIES	$35.99	Feb 1, 2002	Naxos Box Sets
	DVORAK: Ballad / Capriccio / Silent Woods	$8.99	Jan 1, 2002	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: Violin Sonata, Op. 57 / Violin Sonatina, Op. 100	$8.99	Oct 1, 2001	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: Slavonic Dances (Complete)	$11.99	Jul 1, 2001	Chandos
	DVORAK: String Quintets Opp. 1 and 97	$8.99	May 1, 2001	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: Piano Trio No. 1, Op. 21 / Piano Trio No. 2, Op. 26	$8.99	Aug 1, 2000	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: Wind Serenade / JANACEK: Mladi / ENESCU: Dixtuor	$8.99	Apr 1, 2000	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: String Quartets Nos. 12 & 14 'American'	$2.99	Sep 16, 1999	Amadis
	DVORAK: String Quartets No. 5, Op. 9 and No. 7, Op. 16	$8.99	Jul 6, 1999	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: Symphonic Poems (Complete)	$18.99	Feb 1, 1999	Chandos
	DVORAK: Piano Trio in F Minor / Piano Trio in E Minor, 'Dumky'	$8.99	Nov 13, 1998	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: Cypresses / String Quartet Movement in F Major	$8.99	Jun 10, 1998	Naxos Classics
	TCHAIKOVSKY / DVORAK: Serenades for Strings	$8.99	Jul 23, 1997	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK / ELGAR : Cello Concerto	$2.99	Jun 20, 1997	Amadis
	DVORAK: Serenade for Strings / Nocturne / BORODIN: String Quartet No. 2 (arr. for string orchestra)	$18.99	Jun 1, 1997	Chandos
	DVORAK (THE BEST OF)	$8.99	May 5, 1997	Naxos Best Of...
	DVORAK: String Quartets No. 10, Op. 51 and No. 14, Op. 105	$8.99	Feb 28, 1997	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: Symphony No. 9, "From the New World" / Slavonic Dances Nos. 9, 10, 15 and 16	$2.99	Jan 1, 1997	Amadis
	TCHAIKOVSKY / DVORAK: Violin Concertos	$2.99	Jan 1, 1997	Amadis
	DVORAK: Four-Hand Piano Music, Vol. 2	$8.99	Dec 3, 1996	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: Mass in D major / Te Deum	$18.99	Nov 1, 1996	Chandos
	DVORAK: Symphony No. 5 / The Noon Witch / Scherzo capriccioso	$18.99	Sep 1, 1996	Chandos
	LISZT: 2 Hungarian Rhapsodies / DVORAK: 2 Slavonic Rhapsodies / ENESCU: 2 Romanian Rhapsodies	$16.99	Sep 1, 1996	CBC Records
	DVORAK: Four-Hand Piano Music, Vol. 1	$8.99	Aug 22, 1996	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: String Quartets No. 8, Op. 80 and No. 11, Op. 61	$8.99	Apr 29, 1996	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: Slavonic Dances, Op. 46 and 72	$16.99	Mar 1, 1996	CBC Records
	DVORAK: Symphony No. 9 / BORODIN: Symphony No. 2	$8.99	Nov 17, 1995	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: String Quartets Op. 96, 'American' and Op. 106	$8.99	Oct 11, 1995	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: Symphony No. 7 / Nocturne / Vodnik (The Water Goblin)	$18.99	Sep 1, 1995	Chandos
	DVORAK: A Hero's Song / Czech Suite / Hussite Overture	$8.99	Jan 4, 1995	Naxos Classics
	GLAZUNOV / DVORAK: Violin Concertos in A Minor	$8.99	Nov 10, 1994	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: Piano Concerto, Op. 33 / The Water Goblin	$8.99	Jun 3, 1994	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: Symphonic Poems	$8.99	Nov 19, 1993	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK / BACH / SATIE: Dances for 2 Harps	$16.99	Jul 1, 1993	CBC Records
	DVORAK: Symphony No. 6 / The Wild Dove	$18.99	May 1, 1993	Chandos
	DVORAK: Overtures	$8.99	Mar 29, 1993	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK : The Best Of Dvorak	$8.99	Feb 2, 1993	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: Slavonic Rhapsodies Op. 45, Nos. 1 - 3	$8.99	Jan 15, 1993	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: Symphony No. 5 / The Golden Spinning Wheel	$18.99	Aug 1, 1992	Chandos
	DVORAK / ELGAR: Cello Concertos	$8.99	May 14, 1992	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: Theme and Variations in A flat major / Poetic Tone Pictures / Dumka and Furiant / Waltzes	$18.99	Mar 1, 1992	Chandos
	DVORAK: Symphony No. 1 / Legends Op. 59, Nos. 1-5	$8.99	Dec 19, 1991	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: Symphony No. 2 / Legends Op. 59, Nos. 6-10	$8.99	Dec 19, 1991	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: Stabat Mater / Psalm 149	$34.99	Aug 1, 1991	Chandos
	DVORAK: Slavonic Dances, Op. 72 / Slavonic Rhapsody	$9.99	May 16, 1991	Marco Polo
	SUK / DVORAK: Serenades for Strings	$8.99	May 14, 1991	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: Symphonies Nos. 3 and 6	$8.99	Mar 1, 1991	Naxos Classics
	Rhapsody (Enescu, Dvorak, Liszt, Ravel)	$8.99	May 28, 1990	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: Symphony No. 9 / Symphonic Variations	$8.99	Apr 1, 1990	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 8	$8.99	Mar 15, 1990	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: Symphonies Nos. 5 and 7	$8.99	Mar 15, 1990	Naxos Classics
	DVORAK: String Sextet in A major / MARTINU: String Sextet / Serenada II	$18.99	Jan 1, 1990	Chandos
	DVORAK: Symphony No. 8 / Holoubek	$18.99	Apr 1, 1989	Chandos
	DVORAK: Cello Concerto / DOHNANYI: Konzertstuck	$18.99	Feb 1, 1989	Chandos
	DVORAK: Symphony No. 1 / A Hero's Song	$18.99	Dec 1, 1988