Slavic dances

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The Slavonic Dances are a collection of 16 instrumental pieces by Antonín Dvořák , which were composed in 1878 and 1886 and published in two volumes as Opus 46 and Opus 72. The pieces were written for piano four hands and a short time later each arranged for orchestra . They are among the most famous works by the Czech composer.

Emergence

In 1877 made Johannes Brahms his publisher Fritz Simrock attention to the still unknown composer Antonin Dvorak, whom he described as a jury member in the award of a scholarship for his duets sounds from Moravia had met. Simrock not only included the duets in his publishing program, he also suggested that Dvořák compose a number of “national piano works” based on the model of Brahms' Hungarian Dances . The title “Slavonic Dances” was also a suggestion by Simrock.

Dvořák immediately took up the suggestion and in early 1878 wrote the first series of dances over the course of eight weeks. While he received just 300 marks for the composition , the work turned out to be a gold mine for the publisher, as the dances were immediately enthusiastically received by the audience. In the spring and summer of 1878 Dvořák had the orchestral version of the dances followed, which was just as successful. All well-known conductors wanted to include them in their program.

Because of the great success of the first series, Simrock Dvořák suggested in 1880 that a sequel should follow. But it was not until the summer of 1886 that Dvořák set to work and composed the Dances op. 72, again initially for piano four hands. The orchestral version followed from November 1886 to January 1887.

Instrumentation for the orchestral version

The orchestral version is designed for 2 flutes , 2 oboes , 2 clarinets , 2 bassoons , 4 horns , 2 trumpets , 3 trombones , percussion and strings .

The music

Dvořák's compositions make use of characteristic rhythmic patterns from Bohemian and Moravian folk dances as well as those from neighboring countries. Nevertheless, they are completely independent creations of the composer.

Opus 46

Title page of the piano version of the Slavonic Dances op.46

In the front row, two marked by changes of rhythm find Furianten , two the Landler similar Sousedskás , two Skočnás (faster jumping dance), a polka and, as the only non-Czech dance, a Ukrainian Dumka .

  • No. 1 in C major, Presto (Furiant)
  • No. 2 in E minor, Allegretto scherzando (Dumka)
  • No. 3 in A flat major, Poco allegro (Polka)
  • No. 4 in F major, Tempo di Minuetto (Sousedská)
  • No. 5 in A major, Allegro vivace (Skočná)
  • No. 6 in D major, Allegretto scherzando (Sousedská)
  • No. 7 in C minor, Allegro assai (Skočná)
  • No. 8 in G minor, Presto (Furiant)

Opus 72

In the second series, the non-Czech dances predominate, which is why Dvořák was exposed to some hostility. He was accused of not identifying enough with his homeland and instead trying to make himself popular abroad.

The dances from op. 72 consist of a Slovak Odzemek of the form fast - slow - fast, again two dumkas, a Polish polonaise and a lively Kolo from the Balkans . Of Czech origin there is another Skočná and a Sousedská, as well as a Špacírka , which changes from a slow step dance to a fast round dance.

The dances of the second group are sometimes counted separately, but sometimes the numbering of the first series is counted consecutively. Many editions therefore give both numbers.

  • No. 1 (9) in B major, Allegro vivace (Odzemek)
  • Nr. 2 (10) in E Minor, Allegretto grazioso (Starodávný)
  • No. 3 (11) in F major, Allegro (Skočná)
  • No. 4 (12) in D flat major, Allegretto grazioso (Dumka)
  • No. 5 (13) in B flat minor, Poco adagio. Vivace (Špacírka)
  • No. 6 (14) in B flat major, Moderato, quasi Minuetto (Starodávný)
  • No. 7 (15) in C major, Allegro vivace (Kolo)
  • No. 8 (16) in A flat major, Grazioso e lento, ma non troppo, quasi tempo di valse (Sousedská)

literature

  • Wilhelm Pfannkuch: Slavonic Dances. In: Wulf Konold (Ed.): Lexicon Orchestermusik Romantik AH. Schott, Mainz 1989, ISBN 3-7957-8226-0 , pp. 229-234

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