Symphony No. 4 (Dvořák)

The Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 13, B. 41 is classical composition by Czech composer Antonín Dvořák.

The work

Dvořák composed his fourth symphony between January and March of 1874. The influence of Wagner can clearly be heard in this symphony. The principal theme of the second movement is a near-quotation from Tannhauser. Dvořák shows his mastery of all formal aspects in this symphony, and some feel it is one of his best works. A portion of the scherzo was reused in the march "In Troublous Times" from his set of piano duets "From the Bohemian Forest". The first performance took place on May 25, 1874 at the concert of the "Academy Readers' Society" in Prague, conducted by Bedřich Smetana. The composer also revised the autograph at the end of 1887 or the beginning of 1888 [Score, p. XI] . First (posthumous) edition of the symphony was published in 1912, and it is possible that Dvořák's autograph differs very considerably from that edition [Score, p. XI] .

Form

The work consists of four movements:

#"Allegro"
#"Andante sostenuto e molto cantabile"
#"Scherzo (Allegro feroce)"
#"Finale: Allegro con brio"

It's possible, that the third movement of the symphony was initially idependent composition, completed before the other movements and subsequently added [Score, p. X] . In the work is still apparent the earlier neo-romantic atmosphere, but as a whole the composition already bears the hallmark of Dvořák's artistic individuality [Score, p. XI] . A typical performance of the work has a duration of about forty minutes.

Instrumentation

The work is scored for an orchestra of two flutes, piccolo, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, timpani, various percussion, harp, and strings.

Notes

References

Dvořák, Antonín: "Sinfonia IV. Re minore." Score. Prague: Editio Supraphon, 1990. H 3432

External links

* [http://w3.rz-berlin.mpg.de/cmp/dvorak_sym4.html Basic information]