Dvorak at the City Hall

Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904) is a Czech who devoted a great part of his life to colllecting of folk melodies of his native Bohemia and is considered by some as the father of its Czech national music. Two weeks ago, we had an all Dvorak program from the visiting Gewandhaus Leipzig Orchestra under Riccardo Chailly. Yesterday afternoon, we had another one at the City Hall but this time under John Harding, the concert master of the HKPO, doubling up as its conductor..

The first part of the programme was Dvorak's Symphony No. 6 in D major Op. 60, premiered in March 1881, about 130 years ago, when he was 37. Apart from his Ninth (the New World), this was one of his greatest. In it, he blended Bohemian folk melodies into a Germanic romantic structure. It is an energetic symphony with the first movement Allegro non tanto , in D major sonata form in which there were two main themes and two secondary themes in B minor and B major, repeated from time to time by different sections of the orchestra and ending in a confident  D major. The second Adagio in Bb major, is a rondo with variations, quite romantic, with its themes played often by the horn and oboe. The third movement is where the Bohemian folk material in D minor and then D major, entered most evidently. It is in the form of a Czech dance: the Furiant, a quick dance in triple time  The finale is again in sonata form in D major ending in a fiery climax. In this symphony, we find elements of both German (especially in the first and fourth movements which some compare with Brahm's No. 2 ) and of Czech influences in the third which Dvorak skilfully weaved together into his uniquely personal idiom. Whatever may be the case, I find the symphony full of hope, optimism and enthusiasm.

The second part of the programme was Dvorak's Piano Quintet in A Op 81. According to the Programme Notes, the piece is rich in instrumental colors, rapid changes of mood and dynamic Bohemian dance rhythms. Both the first and second movements contain folk dance melodies, the second being in the form of dumka whilst the third is based on another traditional Czech folk dance with sudden energetic twists and turns called the Furiant, used also in his Symphony No. 6. The finale in Allegro was certainly lively and happy. The quintet was played by John Harding as violinist with Rachel Cheung on the piano, Wang Liang as second violinist, Andrew Ling on the viola and on the cello, of course Richard Bamping. They showed perfect co-ordination with great sensitivity to each other's play. As usual, the acoustic of the City Hall is perfect for strings. A most enjoyable Sunday afternoon.

 

 

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