Composer Of The Week

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Antonín Dvořák.In an era overloaded with brooding and overwrought, Romantic sensibilities, Antonín Dvořák’s music shone with grace and joy and humanity. Audiences were enchanted and adopted Dvořák as one of the 19th century’s most beloved composers. He was especially in demand in Britain and the USA, and enjoyed successful visits both countries. Dvořák was never happier, though, than at home in his native Bohemia, listening to the birds singing, feeding his pigeons, and indulging in a bit of train spotting, too.Music Featured:Cigánské melodie, Op 55 No 4 (Songs my mother taught me) Slavonic Dances Op 46 (excerpt) Hussite Overture, Op 67 Violin Concerto in A minor, Op 53 (Finale) Symphony No 6 in D, Op 60 (Scherzo) Stabat Mater, Op 58 (excerpt) Symphony No 7 in D minor, Op 70 (excerpt) Terzetto, Op 74 (Tema con variazioni) Slavonic Dances, Op 72 No 2 (Dumka) Piano Quintet in A major, Op 81 (excerpt) Symphony No 8 in G major, Op 88 (excerpt) Carnival Overture, Op 92