Antonín Dvorák, 1841-1904. Serenade in d, Op. 44. Completed January 18th, 1878, first performance November 17, 1878, in Prague. Scored for 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 3 horns, cello, and bass.
In 1875, while Janácek was still trying to find himself, Johannes Brahms discovered the work of another young Czech composer, Antonín Dvorák. Two years later, Brahms wrote to Fritz Simrock, his own publisher, recommending that the businessman would do well to investigate Dvorák's Moravian Duets. The intervention of the established composer was a great help, and Simrock soon published the Duets with great success. A further boost came from the German critic Max Schütz, who declared ``Only a master writes like this; only a poet by God's grace has such inspiration.''
Dvorák's new-found international recognition came during a prolific period in his life. The Wind Serenade was written in only two weeks, and during the rest of the year he wrote his famous Slavonic Dances (for piano duet), several other orchestral works, a set of 5 folk choruses, two songs, a Capriccio for violin and piano, and some minor piano works. He also found time to orchestrate the Slavonic Dances when they became wildly popular throughout Europe.
The new Serenade was very well received. The following year, Hermann Krigar wrote, ``What fine artistic expression, what compelling melodies and touching harmonic progressions the composer has at his disposal.'' Brahms (who became a lifelong champion of the younger composer) not only influenced Simrock to publish it, but wrote of it to his violinist friend Joseph Joachim (who had just given the premiere of both Brahms' Violin Concerto, and would later introduce Dvorák's), saying ``A more lovely, refreshing impression of real, rich and charming creative talent you can't easily have... I think it must be a pleasure for the wind players!'' Brahms was certainly correct, except for one uncharacteristic oversight: he neglected to note that it is equally enjoyable for the listener!
© 1999, Geoff Kuenning
This Web page written by Geoff Kuenning.
Return to Geoff Kuenning's home page.
Return to Symphony of the Canyons home page.