Live recordings
Dvořák Anniversary Concert
ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK
Hussite, dramatic overture, Op. 67
Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 53
Symphony No. 8 in G, Op. 88
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
conductor
Vladimir Ashkenazy
Pavel Šporcl - violin
live on 8th September, 2001, Rudolfinum, Prague
solemn concert to celebrate 160 years since Dvořák’s birth
The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra opened its 106th season with a solemn concert dedicated to the works of Antonín Dvořák (8.9.1841 - 1.5.1904) celebrating the 160th anniversary of his birth.
The Hussite Overture ranks among Dvořák’s most patriotic programmatic symphonic pieces. It was inspired by the moral strength of the Hussite movement, which fought for the purification of the Catholic Church in the 15th century. Similar to Smetana’s last two parts of My Country, Dvořák used the motif of the Hussite chorale Who Art God’s Warriors. The Violin Concerto is a demanding and spectacular composition with a balladic atmosphere and melodies reminiscent of Slavonic folk songs. The Symphony with its charming, pensive melodiousness and joy reflects the calm Czech landscape.
The Czech PO was conducted by its chief conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy. Pavel Šporcl, an excellent young nonconformist violinist, has studied at the Music Academy, Prague, in Dallas and at the Julliard School with Itzhak Perlman. He has taken master classes with Isaak Stern, Pinchas Zuckermann and Ida Haendel. He has won many international competitions (e.g. ARD Munchen 1992, Holland Music Session World Tour Competition 1993, Prague Spring Competition 1997).
The Hussite Overture ranks among Dvořák’s most patriotic programmatic symphonic pieces. It was inspired by the moral strength of the Hussite movement, which fought for the purification of the Catholic Church in the 15th century. Similar to Smetana’s last two parts of My Country, Dvořák used the motif of the Hussite chorale Who Art God’s Warriors. The Violin Concerto is a demanding and spectacular composition with a balladic atmosphere and melodies reminiscent of Slavonic folk songs. The Symphony with its charming, pensive melodiousness and joy reflects the calm Czech landscape.
The Czech PO was conducted by its chief conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy. Pavel Šporcl, an excellent young nonconformist violinist, has studied at the Music Academy, Prague, in Dallas and at the Julliard School with Itzhak Perlman. He has taken master classes with Isaak Stern, Pinchas Zuckermann and Ida Haendel. He has won many international competitions (e.g. ARD Munchen 1992, Holland Music Session World Tour Competition 1993, Prague Spring Competition 1997).
play video sample (Antonín Dvořák: Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 53)
director: Adam Rezek
time: 84 min.