Program Notes

upon hearing Dvořák’s Second Cello with her and asked her to marry him. Program Notes by April L. Racana Concerto. Both composers apparently She declined and married another, while struggled with how to feature the Dvořák instead married her younger Fri. June 10 The 102nd Tokyo Opera City Subscription Concert instrument with orchestra over the years, sister. But apparently his feelings of Brahms seemingly settling on his Double affection remained as he paid tribute Concerto. Dvořák having previously to her when he composed this Cello explored the genre in his earlier years Concerto in B minor. had determined it extremely difficult, if not impossible, stating: “The cello is a Writing the majority of the work before beautiful instrument, but its place is in he left NewYork (1894-1895), Dvořák (1841-1904) Antonín Dvořák the orchestra and in chamber music. As would ultimately complete the piece 6 "Carnival" Overture, op. 92 (B.169) a solo instrument it isn’t much good… after returning to his home country. The I have written a cello concerto, but am concerto is written in three movements: 10 Shortly before his venture to the ‘new commentary on the three pillars so sorry…that I did so, and I never intend Allegro, Adagio ma non troppo and world’, Dvořák composed a trio of pieces important to the composer. to write another one.” This first attempt Allegro moderato. based on nature, life and love. The at writing a cello concerto remained Carnival (1891) was the central piece of Throughout the work, Dvořák’s undiscovered for many years, and when The second movement is where Dvořák the three, while the first was entitled In typical use of Slavic folk music and it surfaced in 1925, all that existed was makes his first tribute to Josefina. After a Nature’s Realm and the last was based on dance rhythms can be heard. The festive the solo part and a sketch for piano quiet opening section by the woodwinds, Shakespeare’s . The middle of the atmosphere of Carnival is interrupted accompaniment. which are later joined by the soloist in three however has come to be performed midway with one of the composer’s reminiscences of his Slavonic homeland, on its own more often than not, perhaps favorite instruments, the English , It wasn’t until his sojourn to New the full orchestra suddenly interrupts with not least due to its vibrant celebration of together with solo flute and violin, and York in the 1890’s that Dvořák would loud chords in a minor key, as if to grab life. meant to portray “a pair of straying reconsider his position on the matter. As our attention for what is to come next: lovers”. In Dvořák’s own program notes director of the National Conservatory of the melody from “Leave Me Alone”, The work was premiered in Prague he describes this overture as follows: Music from 1892- 1895, Dvořák not only which had been one of Josefina’s favorite on April 20th, 1892 with the composer had teaching duties, but also had the from Dvořák’s Four Songs, op. 82. conducting. The dedication was a nod "The wanderer reaches the city at opportunity to compose (it was during to the University of Prague where he had nightfall, where a carnival of pleasure this time his New World Symphony was The last movement makes one final recently been bestowed an honorary reigns supreme. On every side is heard written) and perform a number of his tribute to Josefina, (apparently added doctorate. Dvořák performed the entire the clangor of instruments, mingled works. He also had the opportunity after Dvořák returned home, and learned triptych again upon his arrival in the with shouts of joy and the unrestrained to collaborate with colleagues there, that she had died) where near the end United States later that same year, for his hilarity of people giving vent to their one of whom, Victor Herbert, was also we hear the tune for “Leave Me Alone” first concert at Carnegie Hall. He had feelings in the songs and dance tunes." a composer as well as a cellist. It was once more, the cello playing one final been named the new director for the upon hearing Herbert’s Second Cello emotional farewell – to Josefina and National Conservatory of Music in New Instrumentation: flute 2, piccolo, 2 , English Concerto that apparently inspired Dvořák perhaps to his New World – before a York and this trio of overtures seemed the horn, 2 , 2 , 4 horns, 2 , 3 , , , percussion (triangle, to change his mind about the difficulties triumphant finish welcomes him back to appropriate greeting to begin his foray cymbals, tambourine), harp, strings of composing in the genre. his homeland. into the new world, with its philosophical For years a renowned European cellist Instrumentation: 2 flutes (2nd doubling on had been urging Dvořák to write a cello piccolo), 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 3 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion concerto for him, and finally in 1895 (triangle), strings, solo cello Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) Wihan’s request was granted. Dvořák had decided to return to his homeland, op. 104 (B.191) Cello Concerto in B minor, partly due to financial difficulties at the conservatory and partly because he was I. Allegro (ca. 16 min) “Why on earth didn’t I know that one homesick. He had also gotten word that II. Adagio, ma non troppo (ca. 11 min) could write a cello concerto like this? his sister-in-law, Josefina Kaunitzová III. Finale: Allegro moderato (ca. 13 min) Had I known, I would have written one had become seriously ill as well. Many long ago.” This was Brahms’ reaction years earlier, Dvořák had fallen in love

36 37 Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) Symphony No.8 in G major, op. 88 (B.163)

I. Allegro con brio (ca. 9 min) This, the Eighth Symphony, is said to II. Adagio (ca. 11 min) be composed during his ‘poetic period.’ III. Allegretto grazioso (ca. 6 min) From April to June of 1889 he had written IV. Allegro ma non troppo (ca. 10 min) thirteen piano pieces, which he described as follows: “Here I’m not just a pure Dvořák as a composer is perhaps most musician, but a poet.” He had become renowned for his Ninth Symphony, often fascinated by programme music and this dubbed the ‘New World Symphony’. Yet can be heard clearly in this symphony, he was capable of composing not only which was composed between August symphonies, but in virtually any genre, and November of 1889. including opera, symphonic poems, concert overtures, dances and marches, Dvořák conducted the premiere of the concertos, chamber music, as well as Eighth Symphony himself, in Prague on works for piano and voice. Many of February 2nd, 1890. And although the these works were written as a result work is arranged with the traditional four of commissions, which led one of his movements, (a fast opening movement, publishers Simrock to comment that followed by a slow second movement Dvořák could ‘pull melodies out of his and scherzo in the third, closing with a sleeve.’ brilliant fourth movement), the poetic explorations of this period can be heard In spite of this reputation, Dvořák took throughout. There are a great variety great pride in working out every idea to and number of thematic and motivic its fullest, studying the master composers ideas that express a range of musical who preceded him in depth and setting a styles including fanfares, pastoral themes, high standard for himself: chorales, and marches, as he explores this poetic language of allusions. In fact, “To have a fine idea is nothing special. when composing this work, Dvořák was The idea comes of itself, and if it is fine on retreat at a recently acquired summer and great, then that is not because of home in Vysoka where he said he felt the person who has it. But to develop ‘as if cut off from the world’ but instead the idea well and make something could ‘enjoy the beauties of God’s great of it, that is the hardest part – that nature.’ Indeed, in this symphony, one is art!” gets a sense of Dvořák as he described himself in this time of his life, as much a For a number of years, many people did poet as musician. not even realize Dvořák had composed any symphonies prior to his last five, as Instrumentation: 2 flutes (2nd doubling on his earlier works remained unpublished piccolo), 2 oboes (2nd doubling on English horn), 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 until much later. But each of his trombones, tuba, timpani, strings symphonies displays the developments and explorations of a composer going through various stages as an artist.

April L. Racana / please refer to p.35

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