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A Hero's Song

November 23, 2023

A Hero's Song (Czech: Píseň bohatýrská), Op. 111, B. 199, also called Heroic Song for Orchestra,[1] is a symphonic poem for orchestra composed by Antonín Dvořák between August 4 and October 25, 1897. It was premiered in Vienna in on December 4, 1898, with Gustav Mahler conducting the Vienna Philharmonic, and was later published in Berlin in 1899. Unlike Dvořák's other symphonic poems, this work is not based upon a specific text, and it may have been intended to be autobiographical. The piece is mostly energetic and triumphant, but it includes a slower section containing a funeral march. A typical performance lasts approximately 22 minutes.

Title page of the first edition of A Hero's Song, published in 1899

Instrumentation edit

The symphonic poem is scored for an orchestra of two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, one tuba, timpani, bass drum, cymbals, triangle and strings.[2] The piece's instrumentation is significant because it lacks harp, unusual percussion, and nonstandard woodwinds – a simpler orchestra than most of Dvořák's other orchestral works. This is because the piece does not attempt to convey a story, but merely portrays two contrasting moods: despair (during the lacrimosa section) and triumph.[3]

History edit

 
Antonín Dvořák (right) with friends and family in New York in 1893, four years before he composed A Hero's Song

A Hero's Song was Dvořák's last orchestral work and the final of his five symphonic poems, the others being The Water Goblin, The Noon Witch, The Golden Spinning Wheel, and The Wild Dove (Opp. 107–110).[3] It is also the last instance of him writing purely instrumental music, as he dedicated himself to vocal and operatic works after its completion.[2] He began working on the piece on August 4, 1897, immediately after revising the third act of his opera The Jacobin.[2] The work was completed in three months, during which time Dvořák lived at his summer residence in his hometown of Příbram, and spent time at his chateau of the patron Josef Hlávka in Lužany.[2] The piece was completed on October 25 of the same year, and was published in 1899 by Fritz Simrock in Berlin.[4] The symphonic poem coincidentally anticipated Richard Strauss's similar tone poem Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), which was composed a year later.[5] In fact, Dvořák originally intended to title the piece A Hero's Life, a name which had been suggested to him by his pupil Vítězslav Novák.[6]

The work was premiered by the Vienna Philharmonic on December 4, 1898,[2] conducted by Gustav Mahler, a friend and supporter of Dvořák.[6] Mahler wrote to Dvořák before the premiere, "I have just received your second work 'The Hero's Song' and, as with [The Wild Dove], am quite enchanted with it."[7]: 209  Dvořák was present at the premier and had planned to conduct it himself with the Berlin Philharmonic on November 14, 1899, but cancelled his plans due to a sudden nervous breakdown – in Dvořák's words, "I was so indisposed that I had to leave Berlin with my wife without even seeing Simrock."[7]: 210–211  The piece had been performed the previous day, conducted by Arthur Nikisch. It was also performed in London, Hamburg, Boston and Leipzig in October and November 1899.[2] Dvořák was finally able to personally conduct the piece in Budapest in December of that year.[7]: 210–211 

Music edit

Dvořák often adapted Bohemian folklore for his compositions, and his previous four symphonic poems were based on actual poems by the Czech poet Karel Jaromír Erben, especially Erben's collection of ballads Kytice.[8] A Hero's Song broke away from this pattern of programmatic symphonic works, as Dvořák did not specify a specific accompanying text,[9] and he only roughly outlined its plot in a later letter.[4] The lack of a fixed programme has been hypothesized as a reason for its relative neglect when compared to Dvořák's other symphonic works.[9] It has also been suggested that the work was intended to be autobiographical,[5] an unusual approach for Dvořák.[2] This was Dvořák's only symphonic poem that pursued Franz Liszt's idealized view of the genre, as Dvořák's other four works were based on eerie subjects not appropriate to Liszt's conception.[4]

A Hero's Song is musically structured like a four-movement symphony, beginning with an allegro con fuoco, transitioning to a slow poco adagio lacrimosa, then including a scherzo and concluding with a coda.[2] The piece is based on a short, energetic theme in B♭ minor played in the violas, cellos, and basses at the start of the piece.

 

This theme is featured in various forms throughout the first section. Following this, a slow section is marked by quiet music which symbolizes the hero's grief.[9] It includes a funeral march, a musical form Dvořák also used in his Requiem, Stabat Mater, and Piano Quintet No. 2.[10] The hero recovers from his grief as the mood of the music gradually brightens and goes into B♭ major, leading into the dance-like scherzo. Finally, the triumph of the hero is represented by the victorious coda.[9] The piece has a run time of approximately 22 minutes.[2]

Although it is much less popular than Dvořák's other symphonic poems, A Hero's Song has been described as "an uninhibited outpouring of joyous energy"[3] and "musically as rich as its siblings written one year earlier", while its lacrimosa section is "full of sadness and longing."[9] Its character has been described as "a variation on Beethoven's style,"[6] Mahler's slight influence has been noted in the funeral march,[3] and the ending has been compared to the patriotic music of Edward Elgar.[11]

References edit

  1. ^ . ArkivMusic. Archived from the original on 19 August 2017. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Šupka, Ondřej. "Píseň bohatýrská". www.antonin-dvorak.cz (in Czech). WebArchiv. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d Hurwitz, David (2005). Dvořák: Romantic Music's Most Versatile Genius. Pompton Plains, New Jersey: Amadeus Press. p. 170. ISBN 1574671073.
  4. ^ a b c Döge, Klaus. "Dvořák, Antonín". Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 2 December 2012. (subscription required)
  5. ^ a b Rothstein, Edward (24 March 1992). "Review/Music; The American Symphony Takes On a New Role". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  6. ^ a b c Honolka, Kurt (2004). Dvořák. London: Haus Publishing. p. 97. ISBN 1904341527.
  7. ^ a b c Šourek, Otakar [in Czech] (1954). Antonin Dvorak Letters and Reminiscences. Prague: Artia.
  8. ^ Haase, Donald (2008). The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Folktales and Fairy Tales. Westport: Greenwood Press. p. 285. ISBN 9780313334412.
  9. ^ a b c d e Hector Bellman. A Hero's Song (Písen bohatyrská), B. 199, Op. 111 at AllMusic
  10. ^ Beckerman, Michael B. (2003). New Worlds of Dvořák: Searching in America for the Composer's Inner Life (1. ed.). New York: Norton. p. 201. ISBN 0393047067.
  11. ^ Beveridge, David R. (1996). Rethinking Dvořák: Views from Five Countries. Oxford: Clarendon Press. p. 230. ISBN 0198164114.

External links edit

November 23, 2023
hero, song, czech, píseň, bohatýrská, also, called, heroic, song, orchestra, symphonic, poem, orchestra, composed, antonín, dvořák, between, august, october, 1897, premiered, vienna, december, 1898, with, gustav, mahler, conducting, vienna, philharmonic, later. A Hero s Song Czech Pisen bohatyrska Op 111 B 199 also called Heroic Song for Orchestra 1 is a symphonic poem for orchestra composed by Antonin Dvorak between August 4 and October 25 1897 It was premiered in Vienna in on December 4 1898 with Gustav Mahler conducting the Vienna Philharmonic and was later published in Berlin in 1899 Unlike Dvorak s other symphonic poems this work is not based upon a specific text and it may have been intended to be autobiographical The piece is mostly energetic and triumphant but it includes a slower section containing a funeral march A typical performance lasts approximately 22 minutes Title page of the first edition of A Hero s Song published in 1899 Contents 1 Instrumentation 2 History 3 Music 4 References 5 External linksInstrumentation editThe symphonic poem is scored for an orchestra of two flutes two oboes two clarinets two bassoons four horns two trumpets three trombones one tuba timpani bass drum cymbals triangle and strings 2 The piece s instrumentation is significant because it lacks harp unusual percussion and nonstandard woodwinds a simpler orchestra than most of Dvorak s other orchestral works This is because the piece does not attempt to convey a story but merely portrays two contrasting moods despair during the lacrimosa section and triumph 3 History edit nbsp Antonin Dvorak right with friends and family in New York in 1893 four years before he composed A Hero s SongA Hero s Song was Dvorak s last orchestral work and the final of his five symphonic poems the others being The Water Goblin The Noon Witch The Golden Spinning Wheel and The Wild Dove Opp 107 110 3 It is also the last instance of him writing purely instrumental music as he dedicated himself to vocal and operatic works after its completion 2 He began working on the piece on August 4 1897 immediately after revising the third act of his opera The Jacobin 2 The work was completed in three months during which time Dvorak lived at his summer residence in his hometown of Pribram and spent time at his chateau of the patron Josef Hlavka in Luzany 2 The piece was completed on October 25 of the same year and was published in 1899 by Fritz Simrock in Berlin 4 The symphonic poem coincidentally anticipated Richard Strauss s similar tone poem Ein Heldenleben A Hero s Life which was composed a year later 5 In fact Dvorak originally intended to title the piece A Hero s Life a name which had been suggested to him by his pupil Vitezslav Novak 6 The work was premiered by the Vienna Philharmonic on December 4 1898 2 conducted by Gustav Mahler a friend and supporter of Dvorak 6 Mahler wrote to Dvorak before the premiere I have just received your second work The Hero s Song and as with The Wild Dove am quite enchanted with it 7 209 Dvorak was present at the premier and had planned to conduct it himself with the Berlin Philharmonic on November 14 1899 but cancelled his plans due to a sudden nervous breakdown in Dvorak s words I was so indisposed that I had to leave Berlin with my wife without even seeing Simrock 7 210 211 The piece had been performed the previous day conducted by Arthur Nikisch It was also performed in London Hamburg Boston and Leipzig in October and November 1899 2 Dvorak was finally able to personally conduct the piece in Budapest in December of that year 7 210 211 Music editDvorak often adapted Bohemian folklore for his compositions and his previous four symphonic poems were based on actual poems by the Czech poet Karel Jaromir Erben especially Erben s collection of ballads Kytice 8 A Hero s Song broke away from this pattern of programmatic symphonic works as Dvorak did not specify a specific accompanying text 9 and he only roughly outlined its plot in a later letter 4 The lack of a fixed programme has been hypothesized as a reason for its relative neglect when compared to Dvorak s other symphonic works 9 It has also been suggested that the work was intended to be autobiographical 5 an unusual approach for Dvorak 2 This was Dvorak s only symphonic poem that pursued Franz Liszt s idealized view of the genre as Dvorak s other four works were based on eerie subjects not appropriate to Liszt s conception 4 A Hero s Song is musically structured like a four movement symphony beginning with an allegro con fuoco transitioning to a slow poco adagio lacrimosa then including a scherzo and concluding with a coda 2 The piece is based on a short energetic theme in B minor played in the violas cellos and basses at the start of the piece nbsp source Audio playback is not supported in your browser You can download the audio file This theme is featured in various forms throughout the first section Following this a slow section is marked by quiet music which symbolizes the hero s grief 9 It includes a funeral march a musical form Dvorak also used in his Requiem Stabat Mater and Piano Quintet No 2 10 The hero recovers from his grief as the mood of the music gradually brightens and goes into B major leading into the dance like scherzo Finally the triumph of the hero is represented by the victorious coda 9 The piece has a run time of approximately 22 minutes 2 Although it is much less popular than Dvorak s other symphonic poems A Hero s Song has been described as an uninhibited outpouring of joyous energy 3 and musically as rich as its siblings written one year earlier while its lacrimosa section is full of sadness and longing 9 Its character has been described as a variation on Beethoven s style 6 Mahler s slight influence has been noted in the funeral march 3 and the ending has been compared to the patriotic music of Edward Elgar 11 References edit Dvorak Symphonic Poems Overtures Kuchar ArkivMusic Archived from the original on 19 August 2017 Retrieved 2 December 2012 a b c d e f g h i Supka Ondrej Pisen bohatyrska www antonin dvorak cz in Czech WebArchiv Retrieved 2 December 2012 a b c d Hurwitz David 2005 Dvorak Romantic Music s Most Versatile Genius Pompton Plains New Jersey Amadeus Press p 170 ISBN 1574671073 a b c Doge Klaus Dvorak Antonin Grove Music Online Oxford Music Online Oxford University Press Retrieved 2 December 2012 subscription required a b Rothstein Edward 24 March 1992 Review Music The American Symphony Takes On a New Role The New York Times Retrieved 2 December 2012 a b c Honolka Kurt 2004 Dvorak London Haus Publishing p 97 ISBN 1904341527 a b c Sourek Otakar in Czech 1954 Antonin Dvorak Letters and Reminiscences Prague Artia Haase Donald 2008 The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Folktales and Fairy Tales Westport Greenwood Press p 285 ISBN 9780313334412 a b c d e Hector Bellman A Hero s Song Pisen bohatyrska B 199 Op 111 at AllMusic Beckerman Michael B 2003 New Worlds of Dvorak Searching in America for the Composer s Inner Life 1 ed New York Norton p 201 ISBN 0393047067 Beveridge David R 1996 Rethinking Dvorak Views from Five Countries Oxford Clarendon Press p 230 ISBN 0198164114 External links editA Hero s Song Scores at the International Music Score Library Project Portal nbsp Classical music Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title A Hero 27s Song amp oldid 1167374766, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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