Antonín Dvořák - 8 Waltzes, B. 101 (Audio + Score)

Pf. Radoslav Kapil
(If you have any concerns about copyright, please let me know and I will remove this video.)
In 1879 Dvorak's new publisher, the prestigious Viennese firm of Simrock, was hungry for new music to follow up on his smash hit, the first set of Slavonic Dances for piano duet. But Dvorak first had to deal with another job, a commission from the Ball Committee of a patriotic group called the National Society, which had asked him and other Czech composers for some dance music for their 1879 Jubilee Ball. Dvorak set to work on some waltzes for them. He planned a set and sketched out one of them, then realized that these were more in the nature of drawing room music for listening rather than actual dance pieces. He started afresh on a new set, taking care to produce waltzes suited to the need of the outfit that was paying for them. These are known as the "Prague Waltzes," B. 99.
Then he turned back to the original set of waltzes, changing them to pieces suitable for solo piano, and offered them to Simrock, who was delighted. Simrock wanted to call the set "Slavonic Waltzes" or "Czech Waltzes," no doubt to capitalize on the popularity of the Slavonic Dances, but Dvorak demurred on the grounds that the Waltz was a Germanic Dance. Dvorak's view prevailed, but both men were correct on their own terms: The melodic qualities of these excellent piano pieces is purely Slavonic. This collection is one of the very best collection of stylized dance pieces for piano to have been written by anyone.
(AllMusic)
Timestamps:
1. Moderato, A Major - 0:00
2. Allegro con fuoco, A Minor - 3:33
3. Poco Allegro, C# Minor/E Major - 6:52
4. Allegro vivace, Db Major - 9:44
5. Allegro, Bb Major - 12:13
6. Allegro, F Major - 15:15
7. Allegro, D Minor - 19:44
8. Allegro vivace, Eb Major - 22:50

[@none5020]

No. 5 got stuck in my head in my dream, and was the only thing going through my head when I woke up so I've been practicing it. It's really fun to play so far!

[@erika6651]

I took organ lessons for a brief perod of time and my teacher had these pieces sitting on her piano. I always enjoyed playing the first waltz after our lessons while her and my mom would chat.

[@laurencegray4720]

The first waltz is my favorite.

[@window1102]

My favorite pieces from Dvořák, the pianist (Kvapil) was even born in the same city as me (Brno)

[@josswindsor8288]

I played this wonderful vals many years ago it,s fantastic dreaming

[@arts7375]

You made me laugh

[@josswindsor8288]

Why?tell me

[@benlindsay6012]

These waltzes are certainly very stylish! Thanks for including the score.

[@txroshow]

Those were absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

[@prototropo]

All fun, but #7 is especially, lusciously deliriously artful.

[@enricakupper245]

just starting this composition,,,, 🙏🙏🙏🙏👋👍🦋🦋🦋🦋🌹🥰🥰🥰

[@michaelbrinkley5773]

I have been looking for these waltzes for awhile now. So grateful you posted them!! Many thanks :)!

[@Calyrekt]

Thank you for posting these waltzes. ♥

[@davidyoung6331]

The modulation at 23:26 is interesting and difficult to figure out. However, it is simply re-interpreting a dominant 7th (in e minor) as a 6th chord in D sharp major and then making the D sharp major the easier-to-read-original-key E flat major. Just like in 2nd movement Beethoven's 5th symphony, if you know the spot.

[@SoupyMold]

Excellent stuff

[@grasmuelliece]

its number 2 for me ❤❤❤❤

[@bag3lmonst3r72]

No. 7 is very Schubertian

[@ValdemarAlves]

Why?

[@gregwilson3516]

Baby Dvorak 1999 VHS

[@Woodcut60]

The pianist is Kvapil, not Kapil.

[@svantearrhenius1]

The video id suspiciously resembles "Dvořák" (a bit).