Dvorak's second set of Slavonic Dances was composed in response to a request from his German publisher, N. Simrock, in the wake of the tremendous popularity of the first set (Op. 46). The brilliant orchestration of the melodious, folk-inspired dances did much to establish Dvorak's reputation as a major orchestral composer. The new study score offered here is a digitally-enhanced reprint of the score first issued in 1955 as part of the Dvorak complete works by the Czech State publishing house SNKLHU, edited by Otakar Sourek. Available now for the first time in an affordable, easy-to-read size.

Dvoraks "Stabat Mater" is a work deeply inspired by personal tragedy in the composers life. Originally sketched between February and May of 1876 as a delayed response to the death of his daughter Josefa, the work was not completed in definitive form until late 1877, in the wake of the passing of two other children (daughter Ruzena and son Otakar). The work was finally premiered on 23 December 1880 in Prague, with vocalists and chorus from the Czech Provisional Theatre conducted by Adolf Cech. The work was first published early the following year by Simrock, with the vocal featuring the piano...

Composed rapidly during April of 1879 in the wake of his success with the two serenades (Opp.22 and 44), Dvorak this time incorporated Czech folk dances into his new work, which was to be for full orchestra. The term serenade, then more often associated with chanber or ensemble pieces (the Opp.22 and 44 were for strings and winds respectively) didn't quite fit and the new piece was designated the Czech Suite. It received its premiere ar the Provisional Theatre in Prague on May 16, 1879 with the theatre orchestra conducted by Adolf Cech, with Dvorak conducting it himself the next year to raise...

The "Scherzo capriccioso" was composed in the same period (1883-84) as the "Symphony No.7, Op.70" and the "Piano Trio in F minor, Op.65," in which Dvorak delved into dramatic and darker colors than those which characterize other works. The present work followed on the heels of the piano trio, completed between April 4 and May 2 of 1883. The premiere took place in Prague's National Theatre on May 16 with the NTO under the direction of Adolf Cech. Publication followed the next year with a Berlin competitor of Dvorak's main publisher Simrock, Bote und Bock. This new study score is a digitally...

Composed in 1891, "V P irod " (In Nature's Realm) is the first of Dvorak's three concert overtures (Opp.91-93) which were originally titled as the "Nature, Life and Love" trilogy. The first performance was given (along with its two companions) on April 28, 1892 in Prague's National Theatre with the composer conducting the resident orchestra. Composed betwwen March 31 and July 8 of 1891, Dvorak considered other titles for the work, including "In a Secluded Place," "Summer Night" and "Overtura Lyrica," before settling on the final one - which was also employed for a set of 5 partongs from 9...