Dvorak's Den

[Madiel]

My desire to reclaim Dvorak's true opus numbers remains undiminished. The 8th string quartet is op.27, dammit.

Few composers were more meticulous about opus numbers. And Simrock ruined it.

[DavidW]

My desire to reclaim Dvorak's true opus numbers remains undiminished. The 8th string quartet is op.27, dammit.

Few composers were more meticulous about opus numbers. And Simrock ruined it.

This is how Gurn started in Haydn, look where that led... I look forward to your book!

[Maestro267]

So Dvorak wrote 8 string quartets within his first 27 opera?

I listened to the 8th SQ earlier again and really enjoyed it, btw.

[Mandryka]

It looks like Dvorak took a long break in quartet writing between 11 and 12 for some reason.

I was wrong to say that Samsour says that 8 marks the start of his last cycle, she says that it marks the start of the series of his best known string quartets.

[Jo498]

With only slight simplification I think one could say that there are 4 well known and frequently played/recorded Dvorak quartets, namely #10 op.51 "Slavonic and the last 3, and 3 somewhat well known ones, #8 op.80? E major, #9 d minor op.34? and #11 op.61 C major. All the earlier ones seem virtually unknown and to get recorded only within complete cycles.

[Madiel]

So Dvorak wrote 8 string quartets within his first 27 opera?

Numbers 2-4 don't conventionally have opus numbers. They're among the works for which Dvorak destroyed the score.

But yes he was writing them rather frequently at one point.

[Mandryka]

I listened to the 8th SQ earlier again and really enjoyed it, btw.

6 seems quite fun too.

[Madiel]

This is how Gurn started in Haydn, look where that led... I look forward to your book!

I mean, there's already a pretty great Dvorak website, so I'm not sure I need to generate more content.

David Hurwitz is a huge Dvorak fan, apparently he's written a book.

[Mandryka]

Note the dramatic performance of Quartet 8 here from the Dvorak Quartet. The release also contains an attractive Cypresses

https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/dvorak-dvorak-quartet-plays-dvorak-frantisek-posta-dvorak-quartet-vlach-quartet/mnyvqjr2g6l2b

[Florestan]

I mean, there's already a pretty great Dvorak website, so I'm not sure I need to generate more content.

David Hurwitz is a huge Dvorak fan, apparently he's written a book.

Available for free (registration required) at archive.org

[Maestro267]

6 seems quite fun too.

I seem to recall enjoying the 6th Quartet during my first go-through of this set back in the spring. Listening again now.

[Mandryka]

Prazak/Roelofsen  op 77 double bass quintet


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQCBLvZ6cTo&ab_channel=tindaltv

[Skogwald]

I've been listening to the middle period symphonies for the first time and holy shit #5! Such a beautiful work, so far my favorite alongside #7.

[Mandryka]

I've been listening to the Vlach recording of the F minor piano trio, the third, this morning.  Are there any other good recordings of it?

[Roasted Swan]

I've been listening to the Vlach recording of the F minor piano trio, the third, this morning.  Are there any other good recordings of it?

I'm sure there must be many fine performances but I must admit I always enjoy this version by the Smetana Trio;



they have that Romantically stormy impassioned quality that I want to hear in this music.....

[Madiel]

To be honest I'm not sure I've heard a performance of the F minor that I've DISliked. It's one of my favourite pieces. Though I only own 2 recordings (Florestan trio and Guarneri trio Prague)

[DavidW]

Smetana Trio is also my favorite, but will also say, as with all classical and romantic era PTs, I have a fondness for the Beaux Arts Trio:

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I'm sure there must be many fine performances but I must admit I always enjoy this version by the Smetana Trio;



they have that Romantically stormy impassioned quality that I want to hear in this music.....

I also enjoy that Smetana Trio one.  Probably my favorite though is with the Suk Trio.  It's on a 2-CD set of Dvorak's music with them on Supraphon.

PD

[Roasted Swan]

I also enjoy that Smetana Trio one.  Probably my favorite though is with the Suk Trio.  It's on a 2-CD set of Dvorak's music with them on Supraphon.

PD

Anything played by Josef Suk will be amazing - the older Supraphon recording is just a tad harsh though I find.....

[Mandryka]

I'm sure there must be many fine performances but I must admit I always enjoy this version by the Smetana Trio;



they have that Romantically stormy impassioned quality that I want to hear in this music.....

I'm not so keen on "stormy"!

This Smetana Trio performance has Jan Palenicek on the cello. I remembered that I was very keen on his father Josef Palenicek playing Janacek piano pieces so I decided to download a non commercial transfer of him playing the Dvorak F minor trio with Alexander Plocek and Milos Sadlo. It is excellent! Not at all blustery. I can share the download by PM.