Although the name Antonín Dvořák makes most people first think of the New World Symphony, this classic piece will not be played tonight, even though the entire evening consists of works by the composer. No one, however, could say these compositions are unknown, as Dvořák's monumental Cello Concerto in B minor is one of the most important and best-known pieces in the literature for the instrument. It is interesting that, although composers have long been aware of the cello's presence and the instrument remains a favourite with audiences, relatively few composers have written concertos for it. Like those tasked with compiling this concert programme, Dvořák might have been driven by the idea of bringing the spotlight down on an instrument many have relegated to the shadows. He accomplished this not just with his cello concerto, but also with his symphonies and chamber works, which repeatedly assigned solo parts to the cello.
With its colourful and grandiose scoring, the Symphony No. 7 to follow the cello concerto illustrates a truly heroic character rounded out by intimate and romantically affecting passages. The link connecting the cello concerto to the symphony is a mature Romanticism featuring extreme emotional states of passion, heroism and intimacy that is more conspicuous in these two works than in any other Dvořák piece.

Presented by: Pannon Philharmonic