Good morning.
Today we’re listening to Antonín Dvořák, a Czech composer from just outside Prague. Born in 1841 to a zither-playing father, Dvořák exhibited prodigious talent at a young age. His compositions were inspired by Brahms (a mentor), Liszt, and Wagner, as well as by Czech folk music.1 In 1889, Dvořák composed 13 solo piano “postcards” (Opus 85), which were popular during his lifetime but have since faded due to critics’ focus on his symphonies and concertos.2 We’re playing a 2022 recording of their performance by Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes. Dvořák loved America, taking a job in Manhattan in 1892 and composing his Ninth Symphony “From the New World.” We’re listening to a 2017 performance of that piece by the New York Philharmonic, which originally commissioned the piece in 1893.3
Poetic Tone Pictures, Op. 85 - Antonín Dvořák & Leif Ove Andsnes (60m, no vocals)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube Music / Amazon Music / Tidal
Symphony No. 9, From the New World - Antonín Dvořák & New York Philharmonic (40m, no vocals)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube Music / Amazon Music / Tidal
Have a really nice Wednesday.
via Nathan MacAvoy