About this Recording
8.550270 - DVORAK: Symphonies Nos. 5 and 7

Antonin Dvořák (1841 -1904)
Symphony No.5 in F Major, Opus 76
Symphony No.7 in D Minor, Opus 70







The Symphony No.5 in F major, Opus 76, was written in 1875, revised in 1877, and dedicated to Liszt's son-in-Iaw, the conductor Hans von Bülow. Dvořák revised the work again in 1887 and it was first published with its present opus number, although the composer insisted that it was in fact his Opus 24, composed a decade before his Sixth and Seventh, published by Simrock as Opus 60 and Opus 70 in 1882 and 1885 respectively. While Dvořák might attempt to outwit Simrock by giving newer works earlier opus numbers, avoiding his obligation to the publisher, the latter could outwit the public by offering higher opus numbers, arguing greater experience and novelty from the composer.

The F major Symphony is scored for the usual pairs of woodwind instruments, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, timpani, triangle and strings, with the one less usual addition of a bass clarinet. The first theme, introduced by the clarinets, quickly leads to something more energetic and grandiose, in a movement that combines characteristically Bohemian turns of melody and harmonic colours with traditional symphonic form.

The slow movement, with its opening cello theme, accompanied by the lower strings, moves from A minor into what seems at first to be A major, in music that has a characteristic ambivalence of mode. It is followed by a lively B flat major scherzo, introduced rhetorically by the cello, before the principal theme is heard. The trio section, in D flat, is followed by are, petition of the scherzo, without alteration.

The closing movement of the symphony starts with a strongly marked theme that skilfully and unusually avoids the key of F major for a considerable time, while the second theme, that conventionally might have appeared in the key of C major, is in G flat. The bass clarinet makes its appearance as the stormy central development section relaxes, and the movement goes on to a brief recollection of the first movement, eventually entrusted to the trombone.

Dvořák wrote his Symphony No.7 in D minor, Opus 70, for the London Philharmonic Society, after his successful appearance in London in March, 1884. He started work, it seems, in December, and the symphony was completed by the middle of March, 1885, to be performed in London on 22nd April at St. James's Hall. Four years later Hans von Bülow conducted the symphony in Berlin so successfully that the composer decorated the autograph score with a portrait of the conductor, adding below the words "Glory to you! You brought this work to life." The work owes something to the impression on Dvořák of Brahms's F major Symphony and that composer's remark that he supposed the new symphony would be quite different from the D major.

The symphony opens in a sombre mood, but even the first theme, played by violas and cellos, has the suggestion of Bohemian inspiration about it, although this is possibly the least obviously rational of the five later symphonies of Dvořák and the influence of Brahms remains clear enough, particularly in the second subject, introduced by flute and clarinet.

The second movement starts with a fine clarinet melody in F major, leading to a further melody for flutes and oboes that ventures further afield in its harmonies. There is a new theme introduced by violin and cello, followed by the French horn, and the melodies we have heard are then developed. The following scherzo is highly typical of the composer in its rhythms, its double theme preserving the darker mood of the whole symphony, while the trio section breathes an air of country serenity.

The final movement shows yet again Dvořák's considerable powers of invention. A first theme of great potential leads to a second emphatic melody, of which the woodwind have provided a foretaste, and a third A major theme is introduced by the cellos. The movement contains much that seems replete with tragic foreboding, before the triumphant return of the key of D major with which the symphony ends.

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