jmc's classics
Today is Annunciation Day. Nine months before Christmas. When the Archangel Gabriel told the Virgin Mary that she would bare the Christ Child. In most Catholic and Orthodox countries it is a big event.
It is the Birthday of Bella Bartok (1881-1945) Arturo Toscanini (1867-1957) and the anniversary of the death of Claud Debussy (1862-1918). This is the anniversary of the premiers of Dvorak's Fifth Symphony in F (Opus#76) in 1879 and his Sixth Symphony in D (Opus#60) in 1881. The sixth is fast becoming one of my favorite works of Dvorak's. His most famous are his Ninth, plus his Seventh and Eighth Symphonies. It was composed in the autumn of 1880 and was commissioned by Hans Richter who was the conductor of the Vienna Philharmonic. It is dedicated to Richter. It became popular after it premiered. the Sixth has a lot of influence from Brahms. There seems to be a dialogue between the instrument groups in this work (Strings, brass and winds). It also contains drums. It is in four movements: Allegro non tanto, Adagio, Scherzo and the finale Allegro con spirit. I lasts about 45 minutes. I am not familiar with the Fifth which also premiered on this day. There are several excellent recordings of this work. the version I have is of the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Istvan Kertesz It contains the eight other symphonys plus the Karnival overture (Opus#92), Scherzo capriccioso (Opus#66) and the Domov mus Overture (Opus #62) it is a six disc set. I would recommend this album. I hope to get familiar with the Fifth Symphony. My other favorite Dvorak works are his String serenade, and Violin Concerto
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