Symphony No. 8, Mvt. 1: Allegro Con Brio

Antonin Dvorak/arr. Andrew Brady

Symphony No. 8 was composed in 1889 in Bohemia. The score was dedicated: "To the Bohemian Academy of Emperor Franz Joseph for the Encouragement of Arts and Literature, in thanks for my election." The First Movement (allegro con brio) is a powerful and glowing exposition characterized by liberal use of timpani. It opens with a lyrical minor theme which gives way to a "bird call" flute melody. The general cheery nature of this movement is contrasted sharply by the more ominous minor-key sections.

Antonín Dvorák (1841-1904) was a Czech composer of late Romantic music who employed the idioms of the folk music of Moravia and his native Bohemia. His own style is sometimes called "romantic-classicist synthesis". His works include symphonic, choral and chamber music, concerti, operas and many other orchestral and vocal-instrumental pieces. He is considered to be one of the most important composers from the Romantic period.

Last updated on July 5, 2013 by Palatine Concert Band