Serenade for Strings (Dvořák)

Antonín Dvořák's Serenade for Strings in E major, op. 22, was composed in 1875. It remains one of the composer's more popular orchestral works to this day.

Composition and Premiere

1875 was a fruitful year for Dvořák's composing. He received a generous stipend from a commission in Vienna, which allowed him to compose his Fifth Symphony and several chamber works as well as the Serenade. Allegedly, Dvořák wrote the Serenade in 12 days, from May 3 to the 14th. The piece was premiered in Prague on December 10th, 1876 by Adolf Čech and the combined orchestras of the Czech and German theatres. It was published in 1877 in the composer's piano duet arrangement by Emanuel Starý in Prague. The score was printed two years later by Bote and Bock, Berlin.

Form

Dvořák's Serenade for Strings consists of five movements:
#Moderato
#Tempo di Valse
#Scherzo: Vivace
#Larghetto
#Finale: Allegro vivace

With the exception of the Finale, which is in modified sonata form, the movements follow a rough A-B-A form.

Description of Movements

I. Moderato

The first movement starts off the Serenade in the key of E major. The second violins and cellos introduce the lyrical main theme of the movement over an eighth note pulse played by the violas. The main theme is traded back and forth, and then the second violins play it under a soaring passage in the first violins.

At measure 31, the movement modulates into G major and a new dancelike theme, based on a dotted eighth note/sixteenth note rhythm, is introduced. At measure 54, the movement modulates back into E major and we see the return of the primary theme. The movement ends on three E major chords.

II. Tempo di Valse

The second movement, a waltz, opens with a lilting dance melody in C-sharp minor. The first section repeats, and the second section begins in E major. A string of eighth notes in the violins transitions into the second theme, also in E major. The first theme returns, and Part A is closed with a cadential fortissimo C-sharp minor chord.

Part B opens with a modulation into the enharmonic parallel major of C-sharp minor, D-flat major. The theme of this section is developed, and then Part A returns. The movement ends on a C-sharp major chord.

III. Scherzo: Vivace

The third movement is a lively, hyperactive Scherzo in F major. The theme is stated and subsequently developed in sections of different tempos and moods, including a foray into A major. The most monothematic movement yet, the scherzo ends with a restatement of the theme.

IV. Larghetto

The fourth movement of the Serenade is a tranquil, wistful slow movement. The movement's flowing melodies and tender phrases form a buffer between the vigorous third and fifth movements. The third theme of the "Tempo di Valse" is quoted repeatedly throughout the movement. The opening theme bears comparison to the later song "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again' from the musical "The Phantom of the Opera" by Andrew Lloyd Webber

V. Finale: Allegro vivace

The fifth and final movement is a lively, off-beat finale to the Serenade. The principal theme of the movement is a descending figure based on thirds with an accent off the second beat. More thematic material enters at bar 32 as the violins and cellos trade calls and responses over running eighth notes played by the violas. A third theme based primarily on sixteenth note pickups appears at bar 87. A wistful quotation from the "Larghetto" appears and then diminuendos away.

The movement's recapitulation starts with the main theme, which is followed in turn by the second and third themes. A 20-bar eighth note passage leads into a quotation of the first movement's theme, bringing the piece full circle to where it started. A "presto" coda follows, and the Serenade is ended with three E major chords.

References

Dvořák, Antonín: "Serenata op. 22. Partitura". (Score) Praha: Editio Bärenreiter, 2000. H 971

External links

* [http://www.portlandchamberorchestra.org/2004-2005%20season/strings_attached_january_05/dvorak.htm Piece details from the Portland Chamber Orchestra]