Dvorak 9 Flashcards
Overview
Representing the Vltava river flowing through Prague, Czech Republic, and portraying the scenes including a wedding, dancing nymphs and rapids.
Form
Attacca between movements for sense of river’s journey.
Mvt 1: Overview
Main theme appears in E minor but harmonic variations include major (E) but with flattened 6th (C natural) and then later E major with full range of notes in that key (i.e. including C#).
Mvt 2
Hunt in the Woods: more triumphant use of brass. (Note: these are not movements as it’s a single movement work; think of these as ‘sections’ of the piece)
Mvt 3
Country Wedding: light 2/4, merry dance, Classical feel. (Note: these are not movements as it’s a single movement work; think of these as ‘sections’ of the piece)
Mvt 4
Moonlight: Dance of the Nymphs: Ab, running semiquavers, light and airy feel. (Note: these are not movements as it’s a single movement work; think of these as ‘sections’ of the piece)
Mvt 5
St. John’s Rapids: stormy, use of brass, dissonance, Sturm und Drang feel. (Note: these are not movements as it’s a single movement work; think of these as ‘sections’ of the piece)
Orchestra
Strings: River, Brass: Rapids, high Woodwind: Nymphs and flow of river.
Harmony & Tonality
Switch between major and minor for main theme (E minor/major) and use of Ab major for Nymphs at Mvt 4.
Humour, drama, narrative & programme
Representing the Vltava river flowing through Prague, Czech Republic, and portraying the scenes including a wedding, dancing nymphs and rapids.
Melody and theme
Main theme appears in minor then major later.
Texture
Mvt 1: dialogue between flutes and pizzicato strings at start
Rhythm/Tempo/Metre
Motor rhythms of opening movement in flutes especially to represent movement of Vltava
Dance, folk & national
La Mantonava; folk tune: main theme and Czech polka feel to the wedding dance section
Key info
Dvorak 9 1893 E minor
