Music aesthetician Eduard Hanslick praised Dvořák's Sixth Symphony, noting its 'charming freshness and naturalness' combined with a 'gratifying mastery of form'.
Performer Biography
James Gaffigan, the conductor on this album, won first prize at the 2004 Sir Georg Solti International Conducting Competition.
Compositional Technique
The Scherzo of Dvořák's Sixth Symphony is the first time the Bohemian folk dance 'furiant' was elevated to symphonic status, featuring a fiery alternation of duple and triple time.
Historical Context
The planned Viennese premiere of Dvořák's Sixth Symphony was delayed due to ethnic tensions between Czech and German citizens, which affected the cultural climate of Bohemia.
Composer Biography
Dvořák moved to New York in 1892 to become the director of the National Conservatory of Music, where he was expected to help create a national American music.
Composition History
Dvořák's Sixth Symphony was dedicated to conductor Hans Richter, for whom it was specifically composed.
Compositional Technique
Dvořák's 'American Suite' incorporates idioms of Amerindian and Afro-American music, using simple, often pentatonic melodies and clear harmonies, while also retaining his Bohemian accent.
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