Antonín Dvořák
Czech Suite in D major, for small orchestra Op. 39 (1879)
I. Preludium (Pastorale). Allegro moderato
II. Polka. Allegretto grazioso
III. Sousedská (Minuet). Allegro giusto
IV. Romance. Andante con moto
V. Finale (Furiant). Presto.
Performed by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by José Serebrier.
Praeludium: Pastorale (Allegro moderato) 00:00
Polka (Allegretto grazioso) 03:43
Sousedská: Menuet (Allegro giusto) 08:43
Romance (Andante con moto) 13:24
Finale: Furiant (Presto) 17:34
Štátny komorný orchester Žilina
Tomáš Pekrárek. Conductor
Painting: Frantisek Kupka, Facture robuste, 1920, Strasbourg, Musée d'Art moderne et contemporain
Antonín Dvorák composed this music in 1879 (during April, it is believed); Adolf Cech conducted the premiere on May 16 of that year, in Prague.
[…] All of the movements are dance-based, even the opening Praeludium in D, additionally marked Pastorale; Allegro moderato, which evokes indigenous bagpipes […]. A polka follows ebulliently in F major (Allegretto grazioso; 2/4). The central movement in the piece has a double designation: both Sousedská (a Bohemian version of the waltz, here in B flat major) and Minuetto, with a tempo marking of Allegro giusto[…]. A slow movement follows in G major, a 9/8 Romanza to be played Andante con moto, with a colloquy for flute and English horn. A melody from this returns during the course of a superb concluding Furiant in F major, marked Presto (in 3/4 time, characterized by cross-rhythms). There's even a genuine folk song quoted, although Dvorák preferred to compose delectable counterfeits -- a movement in any event that begs to be encored.