Dvořák: Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 10, B 34 (with Score)

Antonín Dvořák:
Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 10, B 34 (with Score)
Composed: April 1873 - 4 July 1873 (revision 1887, 1889)
Conductor: István Kertész
Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra
00:00 1. Allegro moderato (E-flat major)
11:38 2. Adagio molto, tempo di marcia (C-sharp minor - D-flat major)
27:47 3. Allegro vivace (E-flat major)
In terms of his compositional development, the third symphony is a typical representative of the period in which Dvořák had extricated himself from Wagnerian and Lisztian Neo-Romanticism and was well on the way towards finding his own distinctive compositional style. While one cannot help noticing the strong Wagnerian influences, primarily in the instrumentation (the use of the harp, richly divided strings), and an unsettled approach to the cyclical form (the symphony has no scherzo movement), the work does bear traits of the kind of original musical language Dvořák would use in the future, namely a variety of musical ideas, broad, arching melodies and an atmosphere of joyful optimism in the closing movement. As in a number of the composer’s other works, here as well he applies the principle of reminiscence, or thematic association, within individual movements. Unlike the previous Symphony in B flat major, we will note a considerable shift towards thematic economy and a more direct approach to thematic treatment. The symphony was written following a period when the composer had attained his first successes, in particular, after the performance of the Hymn “The Heirs of the White Mountain”. These two works have in common not only their time of origin and prevailing key, but also the expression of nobility and sublimity typifying the related thematic material of both works. Dvořák’s biographer Otakar Sourek even finds in the symphony “an expression of the same sense of patriotism and fervent interest in the future of the nation”.
www.antonin-dvorak.cz/en/work...

[@remomazzetti8757]

An outstanding symphony! In fact, dvorak's first 4 symphonies are terribly underrated.

[@dutchpropaganda558]

All of his symphonies are underrated in my opinion. Except for his ninth which seems to get all the attention. What a problem to have; his last symphony was just so good that all the other great ones were neglected.

[@dionbaillargeon4899]

@@dutchpropaganda558 It's the same with the cello concerto. It's such a towering masterwork that the piano and violin concertos (which come very close to being masterworks IMHO) only get some passing attention. Not to mention how his brilliant Stabat Mater also has obscured the fact he composed an excellent Requiem. I think there're few composers with so many instances of masterworks getting in the way of other masterworks.

[@derianalveswolanski9855]

@@dionbaillargeon4899 the piano is forgotten because the piano part wasn't "virtuoso" like other concertos of the time (as is hard afs to play) but yeah, is such a majestic piece! His piano is my favorite concerto!

[@gabriellabrady3002]

@@dutchpropaganda558his ninth symphony was iconic. But I truly think that this one is absolutely beautiful too. There is so much expression in this piece. I absolutely love it 😍

[@rtg_onefourtwoeightfiveseven]

Just got to play the first movement in concert. Besides those last 13 bars being gorgeous in general, whaling on the Eb7 in a fortissimo tremolo in the 1st violin part at 11:21 is so satisfying. Beautiful piece, tough but great fun all the same.

[@dadacrat]

All Dvorak's symphonies are underrated except the ninth. This a fine symphony too, but we see he revised it twice. To make it better, no doubt. I love the 2nd movement, so mysterious and moody.

[@dionbaillargeon4899]

Most critics say Dvorak reached maturity with his 6th symphony. I respectfully disagree. I think there's such a gap between the 2nd and the 3rd symphonies that this one can already be considered as totally mature. All the ingredients of his best music (restrained-yet-colourful orchestration, perfect formal and harmonic control, endless melodic and rhytmic ingenuity...) are already there. Not to mention how incredible the 4 and 5th symphonies are.

[@petergarvey7511]

Excellent point. In strength of themes and structural direction, the 3rd is way ahead of the previous two. There is no trace of the Wagnerish moments in those pieces: now strong individual character.

[@LFont]

I agree, although we cannot say that the first and second symphonies (specially the first) aren't also genius.

[@dionbaillargeon4899]

@@LFont They're masterworks in their own way, but the 3rd is the first one that gives me the impression Dvorak was already 100% in command of his compositional skills. No unnecessary rambling or passages going nowhere. Just perfection, from the fist to the last note.

[@gabriellabrady3002]

I have spent the weekend listening to his music, and I have to say this is definitely one of my favorites. I think this, the eighth, and the ninth are my three favorites. I also absolutely adore the noonday witch

[@vla2baradanikto]

This symphony should be performed more often!!

[@MBulteau]

17:11 A very discreet and beautiful quote of the love theme from Berlioz's Romeo and Juliet.

[@willcwhite]

discreet!? I thought it was pretty flagrant!

[@adrianoseresi3525]

A most gorgeous 2nd theme.

[@sanderspoelstra8961]

2:40 Of course there are many things that make Dvořák great, but these little passages.. This is where Dvorak is at his most Slavic, lyrical, and it glimmers through all of his music and it makes it fantastic.

[@steveegallo3384]

Sander Spoelstra -- True...it's much more than just an inflection point.....BRAVO from Oaxaca !

[@changchp]

So often the simple melodies are most beautiful. I find Puccini had a great deal of them.

[@fltwwq]

What a great friggin' piece!! Why isn't programmed more often?? Wonderful performance. l noticed a lot of wagnerian influence spread throughout (or the other way around?), esp in opening. You can tell he is learning his craft, towards Symp. 7 and 9. There is so much interesting material. Brilliant.

[@paulchristopher2135]

Damn exciting finale.

[@FernandoBetelremanescente777]

[@joshscores3360]

2nd movement reminds me of the Guillaume Tell Chapel movement from Liszt's _Années de pèlerinage._

[@norrisleung89]

1:45 -2:22❤❤❤❤

[@edwardtodd9734]

Fifty years ago, the 9 th was known as the 5th I think the first 4 hadn't been published

[@donaldlidman8670]

First movement was awesome, after that hmmmm, I guess you have to write something for whatever classes you're taking at school..

[@Deadbushfan1618]

iirc Dvorak wrote a second violin sonata that was lost, in the same key and featuring some thematic material from this exact symphony... Do you think these themes would have worked well in the described chamber settings?

[@revistapausacartagena8537]

3 y 8 lo máximo...genio...no todo es Beethoven . Schubert, Mozart, Dvorak

[@emanuelecrepet3630]

11:23 Bruckner mode

[@victorgordon]

Ty5ds