Dvořák: "A Hero's Song", Op. 111, B 199 (with Score)

Antonín Dvořák:
Symphonic Poem "A Hero's Song (Píseň bohatýrská)", Op. 111, B 199 (with Score)
Composed: 4 August - 25 October 1897
Conductor: Theodore Kuchar
Orchestra: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra
This composition of 1897 was Dvorak's last orchestral work. Unlike his previous four symphonic poems, this one does not have a specific program (or if it does, Dvorak chose not to disclose it). One wonders why extra-musical associations often help a piece of music become popular, specially if they are as ghastly as the Erben ballads on which the other four symphonic poems are based. There are no musical reasons for the comparable neglect of Hero's Song which is musically as rich as its siblings written one year earlier. It is based on a short theme in minor mode heard at the very beginning. The work begins impetuously, Allegro con fuoco, featuring the main theme in diverse shapes. The music gradually quiets down to a Poco adagio lacrimoso, a section full of sadness and longing. The hero gradually recovers from his grief. The mode becomes major and the mood victorious. A series of alternatives follows leading to the final triumph of the hero in the concluding coda. A truly enjoyable piece that deserves to be more popular.
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[@amotkram99]

Thank you. Please keep the Dvorak hidden gems coming. they are so good.

[@reubenlee6438]

Dvorak could have gone bombastic style with this but he was such a great writer that he made it exciting without overdoing. This piece to me is perfection

[@davidyoung6331]

The two measures at the start of the page at 15:34 comes from the beginning of the fourth movement of Dvorak's String Bass string quintet. It was a good idea, no reason to not re-use it.

[@beamnanamin1616]

大好きな曲で私も総譜を持っています。 　この曲は紛れもなく名曲で少なくともリヒャルト・シュトラウスの交響詩並みには世界中のプロオーケストラの定期のレパートリーに定着して然るべき劇的迫力と牧歌性,悲哀と情感豊かな楽想で満たされドヴォルザークのオーケストレーションの巧みさによってそれらが堅固にまとめられています。 　この曲までのドヴォルザークの約35年間の創作活動がその最大にして最高の特色である叙情性と優しさに溢れた旋律を最後のオーケストラ作品に至る迄枯渇しなかったことを証明しています。 I think that this works is true masterpiece. It must to be the repertoire same worthy Richard Straus's Symphonic Poems(For instance,Dou Juan,Till Eulenspiegel's hilarious prank,Thus spoke Zaratustra,etc At least this Dvořák's symphonic poem, The Hero's Song, is a true masterpiece and must be played as often as, for example, Richard Strauss's Don Juan, Till Eulenspiegel's hilarious prank, and Thus spoke Zarathustra. It has to become a repertoire in the world professional orchestra. If you listen to the song with an open mind, you should naturally come to that conclusion.

[@rubisco1981]

Dvorak’s magnum opus imo...and possibly the inspiration for Richard Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben!

[@owengette8089]

9:42 vintage dvorak. love it so much.

[@Classic_hero83]

2:17 epic, really

[@shin-i-chikozima]

This splendor Ó words cannot be tuned one

[@davidyoung6331]

A 11:22, where did the d sharp go in the first violin staff? Which score is this? (who published it.). Someone should tell them.

[@shadmium3471]

i published it

[@davidyoung6331]

@@shadmium3471 Huh? Where is the D sharp in the first violin key signature?

[@shadmium3471]

@@davidyoung6331 im sorry i forgot to put it there please forgive me

[@AlexLaMotte]

39/48, eh? Did I read that right?

[@MrShyguyRS]

It’s just 3/4 and 9/8 mashed together. “Lazy” notation for “I don’t want to tell you each time it changes so pay attention”

[@fabiangutierrez339]

3:27

[@user-hb8ck2su4q]

6:30

[@redacted2381]

9:42

[@MrsSedley]

So jolly, not at all the pompous work the title might suggest.

[@coffeeorbass3351]

14:22

[@DavidA-ps1qr]

A sadly neglected work.

[@fujinomiyafuji]

7:36