Roberto Diaz & Dover Quartet: DVOŘÁK Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 97

ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK Quintet No. 3 in E-flat Major, Op. 97
Roberto Diaz, viola
Dover Quartet

Performed on Sunday, January 29, 2017
Field Concert Hall, Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia

Antonín Dvořák traveled to the United States in 1892 for a new job as director of the National Conservatory in New York, a position he would hold for three years before returning to Prague. By the summer of that year (looking to get out of the city for some fresh air and country life) he traveled to Spillville, Iowa, a small town of largely Czech immigrants with a population of about 350. There he spent the summer months taking long walks, enjoying nature, and taking in the sounds and melodies of the American West.

Dvořák wrote a number of pieces inspired by his time ensconced in the Spillville community, including his E-flat quintet (string quartet plus viola). Many will hear references to the “Old West” in this piece, and others will hear the ever-present echoes of his native Bohemia. Really, it’s a bit of both: Dvorak exemplifies the “edge effect” in music, incorporating the sounds of his new environment into his existing musical language. These influences may be heard throughout the piece: some musicologists say the second movement uses patterns found in Native American drumming, and the slow movement’s second theme is unmistakably Dvořák’s realization of “My Country Tis of Thee.” Regardless of the balance of old and new world for Dvorak, all can agree that he was an artist with an important story of immigration who celebrated his newfound (albeit temporary) home in the United States.
—David Serkin Ludwig

#CurtisIsHere

[betaniajohnny]

0:06 Movement 1
10:04 Movement 2
16:17 Movement 3
27:56 Movement 4

[elaines]

One of my absolute favorite pieces of chamber music ever.

[betaniajohnny]

I've listened to this a million times and I keep coming back! It's so amazing!

[Metasisic]

The opening movement to this quintet is unbelievably powerfull and forceful, talk about feeling the music's passion, anyone defenitely would unless you have no ear what so ever.

[joeowens]

What a glorious piece of music gloriously played! I heard more of Bohemia in this piece, especially in the dance rhythms than I did of American, but that may be my fault. The playing was thrilling beyond all expression. Such oneness of sound, such total precision and such warmth of tone. The Dover Quartet is already among the great quartets playing before the public.

[lacorchea]

Dvorak never dissapoints, he always have something good to say. And the Dover Quartet is excellent. And two violas... Guau.

[doumne]

j'adore cet ensemble, Dover quartet et également Roberto Diaz, magnifique altiste. Ce quintette de Dvorak est une de ses plus belles œuvres de musique de chambre.Bravo à tous.

[robertgoss]

This was one of the very first CDs I ever bought, in the mid-1980's, and it remains among.my favorites. This stirring performance is one of the best I've heard. Thanks a million! Patreon page??

[RikerEKC]

Guarneri Quartet for a new generation!

[luisangelacostasanchez]

La más bella música para darte sentido a la vida música de El Olimpo para terricolas

[penultimateh]

My god those last three notes. Why didn't every person in that room leap to their feet?

[davidyoung]

Wonderful. Question! I am very pleased to note that the violist does not play the double stop in measure 119 of the second movement. I have always considered that the double stop in the score was a mistake. Do you also believe that the double stop was a transcription mistake? Can you tell me why you avoided the double stop? (at 12:41 she plays just one note where as most renditions the violist plays a double stop at this moment).

[gpcrawford]

I always believed that a troop of Native American Indians come into town and he Dvorak was enraptured by the rhythms that they created and put them in music. Strangely or coindence Smetana in his opera the Bartered bride had American Indians in one scene where Dance of the comedians enters

[grimjim]

Very nice! have they heard the Esme qt.from Korea?

[hansdekorver]

27.55 The well-known Humoresque.( Only the rhythm )