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Antonin Dvorak (1841 - 1904)
Slavonic Dances, Op. 46 & 72
1 Skočná (Op72, No.3)
2 Mazurka (Op72, No.2)
3 Špasίrka (Op72, No.5)
4 Serbian Kolo (Op72, no.7)
Dvorak wrote his first set of Slavonic Dances in 1878 in response to a commission from his publisher Simrock. The dances were hugely successful, Simrock paid the composer 300 marks, and made a small fortune for himself. A few years later, after repeated requests from Simrock, Dvorak wrote a second set. But now he was more astute. He had just written his 7th symphony, and Simrock offered him 3,000 marks for both together. Dvorak wrote back saying “No, 3,000 marks for each please!” - and he got it. Both sets were composed initially for piano duet and were then orchestrated, and were very soon being played in homes and concert halls all over Europe.
Our selection tonight comprises four dances from the second set of 1886. All are traditional dances of the region, which still exist and are danced today. The first is a Skocná, a medium paced dance in double time, with some slower sections. Next is a Mazurka, in triple time, gentle and nostalgic. Then comes the Špasίrka, which dramatically alternates slow and passionate sections with very quick. Finally a Serbian Kolo provides a vigorous and fast conclusion. |
