Dvorak, Symphony No. 8, in G major

 
When in 1891 the University of Cambridge decided to award Antonin Dvorak an honorary doctorate in music, the composer sent a Symphony composed in Vysoka, his summer residence, between August and November 1889. Symphony No. 8 was published by an English publisher due to disagreements with his usual publisher, who was betting on shorter works that, in his opinion, were more profitable. Its premiere took place on February 2, 1890, in Prague, conducted by the author. A year later he conducted it in London, on the occasion of receiving his doctorate.

Villa Vysoka
In 1880, when he was under forty years old, the Czech composer was already an internationally recognized musician, so he would travel through Europe with increasing frequency, to stage and conduct his works. However, what really pleased him was to remain in his homeland, working on his compositions, hopefully in a serene and motivating environment.

In 1877, his wife Anna's older sister married a count who enjoyed the possession of a beautiful villa 50 km from Prague, where a small mansion stood in the middle of a forest. Dvorak was amazed with the place, the first time he saw it, in the ocassion of the marriage. He received a new invitation in 1880 and then, for three more summers, Dvorak stayed with his wife in a smaller building in the proximity of the mansion.

Antonin Dvorak (1841 - 1904)

A second home

The villa was named Vysoka and it would play an important role in the composer's personal and professional life. Thanks to the income from tours and the publication of his works, Dvorak was able to buy a portion of the villa from his relative, the Count. He settled there in a house that would become his second home, to rest from touring and Prague. There he would produce an important number of works, among which stand out his opera Rusalka, the second series of the Slavonic Dances, and Symphonies No. 7 and No. 8.

Symphony No. 8 in G major, opus 88
With his Eighth Symphony, the composer once again reveals his passion for Slavic folk music. In conjunction with a vigorous national language, the work presents varied moods, ranging from pastoral images, dances, and marches to highly dramatic moments. It adheres to the "classical" structure of the symphony, with four movements:

00:00   Allegro con brio

10:42   Adagio

22:10   Allegretto grazioso - Molto vivace

28:00   Allegro ma non troppo

The performance is by the Radio Frankfurt Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Manfred Honeck.