Continue the journey…
We suggest further works to explore after Dvo ák’s Symphony No. 8
The orchestral scene-painting dabbled with by Dvoˇrák in his Eighth Symphony is taken up a level in the four tone poems – The Golden Spinning Wheel, The Wood Dove,
The Noon Witch and The Water Goblin – that he composed in 1896. Based on Czech folk ballads, all four are initially as charming as they are characterful. Be warned, though: happy endings are not a hallmark of Czech storytelling, and in each case a gruesome twist awaits. (Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/ Simon Rattle Warner Classics 558 0192).
At about the same time that Dvoˇrák was bringing his symphonic journey to an end, his compatriot JB Foerster was setting off on his. Composed in
1888, Foerster’s First Symphony – he wrote five in all – projects the care-free feeling of a spring day, dotted with the occasional dark cloud. The lushly lyrical Andante second movement in particular may have you wondering why we don’t hear more of this neglected composer. (Osnabrück Symphony Orchestra/hermann Bäumer MDG MDG6321491-2).
Both Dvoˇrák and Foerster were among the teachers of Joseph Suk, whose tragic Asrael Symphony was
The chill winds of winter subside, birds chatter and a jolly time is had by all
triggered by Dvoˇrák’s death in 1904. Following soon after was the much sunnier A Summer’s Tale, a fivemovement tone poem in which Suk seemingly celebrates the power of nature to lead one out of even the darkest times. (BBC Symphonic Orchestra/ Jiˇrí Bˇelohlávek Chandos CHAN 5109).
The increasingly warm rays of the sun can also be felt in Spring, an 1881 tone poem by composer, another Zdeneˇk Czech Fibich. Over the work’s 15 minutes, the chill winds of winter subside, birds chatter and, finally, a jolly time is had by all. (Czech National Symphony Orchestra/ Marek tilec Naxos 8.573197).
For a final breath of refreshing Czech air, we join Viteˇzslav Novák for the his Tatra 1902 Mountains. symphonic Inspired poem by In the composer’s walks in the range that lies on the border with Poland, this richly orchestrated work packs the proverbial four seasons into one day – fog and distant thunder give way to heavy rain and flashes of lightning before the evening sun bathes the landscape in a radiant glow. (Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra/joann Falletta Naxos 8.573683).