Symphony No. 8 (Dvořák)

The Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op 88 ( The English ) is a symphony of the Czech composer Antonín Dvořák. The composer's lifetime, it was counted as his fourth symphony.

Formation

Dvořák wrote the symphony in 1889 on the occasion of his, as he noted on the title page of the score, " inclusion in the Bohemian Emperor Franz Joseph Academy for science, literature and art." For the gloomy mood of the 7th symphony Dvořák's Symphony No. 8 which forms a dissolved, lyrical contrast. In the composition, with Dvořák 's objective has been to write " a different from my other symphonies work with individual, drawn up in a new way of thought ," Dvořák was inspired by the landscape at Vysoká u Příbramě, his summer residence, inspired. The premiere took place on February 2, 1890 in Prague under the direction of the composer.

About the Music

Occupation

2 flutes (2nd piccolo ), 2 oboes (2nd also anglais ), 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, and strings.

1st movement: Allegro con brio

The first movement is initiated by a chorale-like theme in G minor cello, clarinet and bassoon, which is repeated several more times at the beginning of the exposition, development and recapitulation in the course of the movement. The actual pastoral main theme is in G major and is played by the flute. After an increase of the theme by the orchestra, the second subject follows. Before performing the G minor theme is repeated, which is heard in the trumpet before the recapitulation. At the beginning of the recapitulation is heard again the G major theme in the woodwinds and ends in a minor key.

2nd movement: Adagio

The second movement is a rhapsodieartiges Adagio in C Minor and 2/4-cycle and influenced by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, with which Dvořák had befriended shortly before. He begins melancholic, but is similar to that of a, a birdcall, continued in the fourth flute. The continuation of the melancholy beginning in the deep clarinet changes in the further course of the fourth off. In the central part of the sentence follows a widely ausholendes C major theme that is taken up by the solo violin. The movement is characterized by a juxtaposition of light and dark, C major and C minor alternate.

3rd movement: Allegretto grazioso

The third movement begins with a graceful and waltz-like theme in G minor in the violins. In the main part follows a G major Trio, whose melody is carried by the flutes and oboes. In the trio of delicate -looking three-quarter time is maintained. In the repetition of the trio the subject then heard in the oboe and bassoon. While the largest part of the sentence in the odd clock stands, the coda is heard in duple time. The waltz -like style of this set may be an expression of the work of the composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky with the music at that time.

4th movement: Allegro ma non troppo

The fourth movement is in G major; in him the sonata form is combined with variations. It is introduced by a trumpet fanfare in D. Then, the two-part variation issue is presented by the cellos. A horn trill and a virtuoso flute melody dominate the first variations. The subsequent strikingly rhythmic third variation is called "Slavic variation ". A lyrical passage eventually leads to virtuoso coda chromatic character which gives a triumphant end to the work.

Effect

The conducted by Dvořák himself premiere on February 2, 1890 in Prague with the Orchestra of the Czech National Theatre as part of the " 13 Popular concert artists resource, " was another success for the composer. Additional performances by Dvorak found on November 7, 1890 in a museum concert in Frankfurt am Main and in the following year in Cambridge, England on the eve of his promotion. During Dvořák's sixth trip to England, the symphony was performed several times by the " Royal Philharmonic Society ." Hans Richter brought the symphony in Vienna and London for the premiere and wrote after the Vienna performance of Dvořák: " At this performance, you would certainly have had joy. We all have felt that it is a magnificent work: why were we all doing with enthusiasm. ( ..) The applause was warm and welcoming. "

Dvořák did publish the work from the London publisher Vincent Novello and not to his publisher Fritz Simrock tribe because he was at odds with this nor with regard to printing of the 7th Symphony. This fact and the success of the Symphony in England led to the nickname " The English ".

The 8th Symphony is one of the most played Dvořák symphonies and, with the 7th and the 9th Symphony of the Master to its most important symphonic creations.

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