Hussite Overture
The Hussite Overture (Czech: Husitská, dramatická ouvertura), Op. 67, B. 132, was written by Antonín Dvořák in 1883 for the gala opening of the Prague National Theater.[1] The composition was originally intended as a part of a dramatic trilogy on the Bohemian religious leader Jan Hus.
As with the third piano trio, the Scherzo capriccioso, the Ballade in D minor, and the seventh symphony, composed in the same period, the work is written in a more dramatic, dark and aggressive style that supersedes the carefree folk style of Dvořák's "Slavonic period".[2]
The overture is scored for piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, cor anglais, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion (bass drum, cymbals, triangle), harp, and strings.
Performance history
[edit]Early performances of Dvořák's Hussite Overture included:[1]
- Prague, Austria-Hungary: 18 November 1883, conducted by Mořic Stanislav Anger
- Prague, Austria-Hungary: 19 November 1883, conducted by Mořic Stanislav Anger
- London, Great Britain: 20 March 1884, conducted by Dvořák himself
- Berlin, German Empire: 21 November 1884, conducted by Dvořák himself
- Prague, Austria-Hungary: 3 April 1887, conducted by Dvořák himself
- Frankfurt, German Empire: 7 November 1890, conducted by Dvořák himself
- Worcester, United States: 28 September 1893, conducted by Dvořák himself
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Hussite Overture". Antonin Dvorak. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
- ↑ Döge, Klaus (2001). "Dvořák, Antonín (Leopold)". Grove Music Online (8th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. (subscription, Wikilibrary access, or UK public library membership required)
External links
[edit]- Hussite Overture: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
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