Symphony No. 8 (Dvořák)
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The Symphony No. 8 in G major (op. 88) was composed and orchestrated by Antonín Dvořák within the two-and-a-half-month period from August 26 to November 8 1889 in Vysoka, Bohemia. The score was dedicated: "To the Bohemian Academy of Emperor Franz Joseph for the Encouragement of Arts and Literature, in thanks for my election." Dvořák conducted the premiere in Prague on January 2, 1890.
The Eighth Symphony is performed fairly frequently, but not nearly as often as the more famous Ninth Symphony ("From the New World"). In this regard the Eighth enjoys a similar status to the Seventh Symphony, despite the two works' marked differences. While the Seventh is a stormy romantic work, the Eighth is cheery and draws its inspiration more from the Bohemian folk music that Dvořák loved.
A typical performance of the Eighth lasts about 36 minutes, making it one of Dvořák's shorter symphonies.
The Eighth is scored for 2 Flutes, a Piccolo, 2 Oboes, an English Horn, 2 Clarinets, 2 Bassoons, 4 Horns, 2 Trumpets, 3 Trombones, a Tuba, Timpani, and Strings.
[edit] The Music
The work is in four movements:
- Allegro con Brio in G major - The first movement is a powerful and glowing exposition characterized by liberal use of percussion.
- Adagio in C minor - Despite being marked "Adagio," the second movement, in reality, moves along at quite a reasonable speed. It begins with a typically beautiful clarinet solo and ends quietly, but contentedly.
- Allegretto Grazioso - Molto Vivace in G minor - Most of the third movement is a reserved dance in 3/8 time. Near the end, the meter changes to 2/4, and the music ends in a manner not unlike that of the second movement.
- Allegro, ma non Troppo in G major - The finale (formally a set of variations) is the most turbulent movement. It begins with a fanfare, then progresses to a beautiful melody which is first played by the cellos. The tension is masterfully built and finally released at approximately two minutes into the piece, where a cascade of instruments playing the initial theme introduce a horn trill. From there, the movement compellingly progresses through a tempestuous middle section, modulating from major to minor several times throughout, and including two more horn trills. The piece ends on a chromatic coda, in which brass and percussion are greatly prominent.
[edit] External links
- Excellent program notes on Dvořák's Symphony No. 8 by Richard Freed for the National Symphony Orchestra
- Free recording of Dvořák's Symphony No. 8 by the Columbia University Orchestra
