American Suite (Dvorák)
Encyclopedia
The American Suite is an orchestral
suite by Czech
composer
Antonín Dvořák
.
Dvořák initially wrote the Suite for piano
(opus 98). While he composed it in New York
between February 19 and March 1, 1894, he orchestrated it in two parts more than a year after his return to the United States and immediately before his departure for Europe. The pianistic version was performed soon after its composition, but the orchestral version waited some years. The orchestral version of the American Suite was first played in concert in 1910 and not published until 1911, seven years after Dvořák's death in 1904.
The suite is written in five movements, each with a marked rhythm:
As often is the case with Dvořák, the orchestral version gives the work a new breadth. The cyclic aspects of Dvořák's composition are apparent, in that the principal theme of the first movement recurs up through the conclusion of the work. This opening theme is marked by his American
-influenced style. It is difficult to determine if it comes from the typical folk music
of the New World or simply of the music of the Czech emigrants, to which the Dvořák liked to listen during his stay in the United States
.
This mix of American influence with Slavic tradition is also perceptible in the rhythm of the "alla Polacca" third movement, and in the last movement's themes native to the Far East, played by flute
and oboe
in unison
, where the orchestra passes easily from the minor theme to the major one. This final Allegro movement was used in the trailer for the adventure computergame The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall.
Far from any exoticism
, the art of Dvořák's orchestral work is in the field of pure music, and it is undoubtedly for this reason that Brahms
appreciated it. Even in New York, when Dvořák encouraged his pupils to work on their own folk melodies, it was authentic recreation of the popular folk musics that he called for.
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
suite by Czech
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
Antonín Dvořák
Antonín Dvorák
Antonín Leopold Dvořák was a Czech composer of late Romantic music, who employed the idioms of the folk music of Moravia and his native Bohemia. Dvořák’s own style is sometimes called "romantic-classicist synthesis". His works include symphonic, choral and chamber music, concerti, operas and many...
.
Dvořák initially wrote the Suite for piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
(opus 98). While he composed it in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
between February 19 and March 1, 1894, he orchestrated it in two parts more than a year after his return to the United States and immediately before his departure for Europe. The pianistic version was performed soon after its composition, but the orchestral version waited some years. The orchestral version of the American Suite was first played in concert in 1910 and not published until 1911, seven years after Dvořák's death in 1904.
The suite is written in five movements, each with a marked rhythm:
- Molto vivace
- Allegro
- Moderato (alla Pollacca)
- Andante
- Allegro
As often is the case with Dvořák, the orchestral version gives the work a new breadth. The cyclic aspects of Dvořák's composition are apparent, in that the principal theme of the first movement recurs up through the conclusion of the work. This opening theme is marked by his American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-influenced style. It is difficult to determine if it comes from the typical folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
of the New World or simply of the music of the Czech emigrants, to which the Dvořák liked to listen during his stay in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
This mix of American influence with Slavic tradition is also perceptible in the rhythm of the "alla Polacca" third movement, and in the last movement's themes native to the Far East, played by flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
and oboe
Oboe
The oboe is a double reed musical instrument of the woodwind family. In English, prior to 1770, the instrument was called "hautbois" , "hoboy", or "French hoboy". The spelling "oboe" was adopted into English ca...
in unison
Unison
In music, the word unison can be applied in more than one way. In general terms, it may refer to two notes sounding the same pitch, often but not always at the same time; or to the same musical voice being sounded by several voices or instruments together, either at the same pitch or at a distance...
, where the orchestra passes easily from the minor theme to the major one. This final Allegro movement was used in the trailer for the adventure computergame The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall.
Far from any exoticism
Exoticism
Exoticism is a trend in art and design, influenced by some ethnic groups or civilizations since the late 19th-century. In music exoticism is a genre in which the rhythms, melodies, or instrumentation are designed to evoke the atmosphere of far-off lands or ancient times Exoticism (from 'exotic')...
, the art of Dvořák's orchestral work is in the field of pure music, and it is undoubtedly for this reason that Brahms
Johannes Brahms
Johannes Brahms was a German composer and pianist, and one of the leading musicians of the Romantic period. Born in Hamburg, Brahms spent much of his professional life in Vienna, Austria, where he was a leader of the musical scene...
appreciated it. Even in New York, when Dvořák encouraged his pupils to work on their own folk melodies, it was authentic recreation of the popular folk musics that he called for.