Tuesday November 17, 2009

Friends of Chamber Music
Sejong
Antonín Dvořák: Waltz in A major, Op.54 No. 1 4:09
Antonín Dvořák: Serenade in E major, Op.22 26:36 (9/23/08)
Also, Charley talks with The Playground's Conrad Kehn about their event Friday and their call for scores.
Steve Snowden: The Devil's Nine Tails
The Playground Ensemble
NCA 11:07
And, Charley anticipates Opus Two's appearance with the Boulder Chamber Orchestra this weekend.
Aaron Copland: "Andante semplice" (1st movement) from Sonata for Violin and Piano
Opus Two (William Terwilliger, violin; Andrew Cooperstock, piano)
Azica Track 10 7:50


Antonin Dvorák (1841-1904): Serenade for Winds in D minor,
Opus 44 (B.77)
I. Moderato quasi marcia
II. Minuetto: Tempo di minuetto
III. Andante con moto
IV. Finale: Larghetto molto

Early in January, 1878, Dvorák moved into a new apartment, rented a piano, and set to work on a Serenade for winds. He finished it on January 18. The first performance took place at the National Theater in Prague on November 17, 1878. Dvorák was making his conducting debut at that concert, which consisted entirely of his own works.
The Serenade is dedicated to Louis Erhlert, a German pianist, composer and critic, whose enthusiasm for Dvorák's music contributed to its popularity outside of Bohemia. Another promoter was the Budapest critic Max Schütz, who said ``only a master writes like this; only a poet by God's grace has such inspiration.''
Biographer Alec Robertson writes: ``This good-humoured work opens with a spirited march--repeated in the finale--and continues with a minuet in the form of a Sousedská (a national dance form for elderly folk). Then comes the most considerable number, a long and romantic slow movement preceding a gay finale.''
The score calls for 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 3 horns, cello and double bass.