SMU Ivory Keys is proud to present "Klaviesta" to our KZfaq audience; our first live annual production held at an outside venue since COVID-19! ✨ Taken place at the Esplanade Recital Studio on 16 October 2023, we hope to bring you a wondrous, enchanting night of piano music, all from the comfort of your little black box at home.
The later half of the romantic era saw an explosion of nationalist composers, one of whom being Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904), of Czech heritage. Perhaps best remembered for popular tunes like the New World symphony and his seventh Humoresque Op 101, not many are aware of his work championing the modern Czech musical style, much like Bedrich Smetana prior. Testament to this are works such as his Slavonic Dances, Czech Suite and the third movement of his eighth symphony.
As a composer, Dvořák would enjoy a period of relative success in his native Czechia and Europe, before relocating the United States in 1892. Much of the works he wrote during his time there would be inspired by “American Music” - indeed, his main goal in America was to discover and engage in American music, particularly Native and African-American music. This violin sonatina is one such example, taking inspiration from a melody he had heard in Spillville, Iowa - a town settled by a sizeable Czech diaspora.
The first movement is characterised by a simple, sonata form reminiscent of a piece by the likes of Mozart - indeed, Dvořák had catered this work for (and dedicated it to) his young daughter and son, who studied the piano and violin respectively. Starting with a syncopated melody resembling a fanfare in the key of G major, it transitions into a secondary theme introduced in the relative E minor key, rather than the dominant D major found in similar sonatas. The music develops into a brilliant climax before returning to a recapitulation of the two themes, leading to a quiet conclusion that evokes a sense of innocence of childhood, and tranquility and sweetness of Dvořák’s American life.
Performed by Kendrick Teo and Joseph Teo at Annual Production 2023, 16 October 2023.
Brought to you by SMU Ivory Keys.
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