Off the Cuff : Dvořák ’ s Cello Concerto
{ program notes
Dvořák
the New York Philharmonic , inspiration struck . In November 1894 , he began his Cello Concerto , and by February 9 , 1895 , the score was largely complete . One of his masterpieces , it remains today perhaps the greatest of all cello concertos .
The first movement opens mysteriously and with barely suppressed excitement as clarinets and other woodwinds murmur the principal theme ; this quickly builds to a fortissimo declaration by the violins . The second theme , a marvelous , flowing melody with a touch of sentimentality , is introduced a few moments later by the solo horn ; it will reveal its full personality a bit later when sung by the cello . After the orchestra ’ s exposition , the soloist enters with a very grand statement of the principal theme in bold chords .
The development section of this sonata-form movement is striking in that , instead of being a dramatic working out of thematic fragments , it centers on a lengthy slower-tempo version of the principal theme by the cellist and solo flute in haunting duet . Here Dvořák explores the darker , more introspective side of his hitherto extroverted theme .
The slow movement stresses the cello ’ s ability to sing with the pathos and feeling of the human voice . Its heart is a poignant central section for the soloist and woodwinds , introduced by four stormy orchestral measures . Here we are listening to a paraphrase of Dvořák ’ s song “ Leave Me Alone ” of 1887 . The composer had just learned of the serious illness of his wife ’ s elder sister , Josefina Kaunitzová , and this quote from a favorite song of hers pays tribute to an old love . In the 1860s , Josefina , a beautiful
Off the Cuff : Dvořák ’ s Cello Concerto
Music Center At Strathmore Friday , February 17 , 2017 — 8:15 pm
Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Saturday , February 18 , 2017 — 7 pm
Series Supporting Sponsor :
Marin Alsop , conductor Johannes Moser , cello
Antonín Dvořák Cello Concerto in B minor , opus 104 Allegro Adagio ma non troppo Finale : Allegro moderato JOHANNES MOSER
The concert will end at approximately 9:15pm on Friday and 8pm on Saturday .
Saturday , February 18 : Join us for an after-party in the Meyerhoff lobby featuring live entertainment , food and drink specials .
Marin Alsop
For Marin Alsop ’ s bio ., please see pg . 7 .
young actress , had come with her sister Anna for piano lessons with Dvořák . The composer fell hopelessly in love with her , but , as there was no reciprocation , he — like Mozart with his Constanze — married the younger sister .
Shortly after Dvořák returned to Bohemia in the spring of 1895 , Josefina died . The composer returned to his nearly completed concerto and appended a remarkable grieving epilogue to its finale . This rondo-form movement begins merrily , though , with a vivacious rondo refrain , jingling with triangle . But there are more bittersweet moments here than one usually finds in concerto finales ,
Johannes Moser
For Johannes Moser ’ s bio ., please see pg . 31 .
including an impassioned duet for the cello with solo violin . As the movement seems to be drawing to a close , it flows instead into the epilogue in which we hear a wistful reminiscence of the first movement ’ s theme and of Josefina ’ s song from the second . Then Dvořák pulls himself together and delivers a fast , electric finish .
Instrumentation : Two flutes including piccolo , two oboes , two clarinets , two bassoons , three horns , two trumpets , three trombones , tuba , timpani , percussion , strings .
Notes by Janet E . Bedell , Copyright © 2017
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