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Anton​í​n Dvo​ř​á​k: From the Bohemian Forest, Legends

by Prague Piano Duo

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Felipe Luna
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Damon & Lynn Pritchett
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1.
From the Bohemian Forest, Op. 68, B. 133 (Ze Šumavy) I. In the Spinning-Room (Na přástkách) - Allegro molto (in D Major) 04:24
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2.
From the Bohemian Forest, Op. 68, B. 133 (Ze Šumavy) II. On the Black Lake (U černého jezera) - Lento (in F Sharp Major) 04:41
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3.
From the Bohemian Forest, Op. 68, B. 133 (Ze Šumavy) III. Witches’ Sabbath (Noc filipojakubská) - Molto vivace (in B Flat Major) 04:27
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4.
From the Bohemian Forest, Op. 68, B. 133 (Ze Šumavy) IV. On the Watch (Na čekání) - Allegro comodo (in F Major) 03:47
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5.
From the Bohemian Forest, Op. 68, B. 133 (Ze Šumavy) V. Silent Woods (Klid) - Lento e molto cantabile (in D Flat Major) 04:33
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6.
From the Bohemian Forest, Op. 68, B. 133 (Ze Šumavy) VI. In Stormy Times (Z bouřlivých dob) - Allegro con fuoco (in A Minor) 04:30
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7.
Legends, Op. 59, B. 117 (Legendy) I. Allegretto non troppo, quasi andantino (in D Minor) 02:47
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8.
Legends, Op. 59, B. 117 (Legendy) II. Molto moderato (in G Major) 03:23
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9.
Legends, Op. 59, B. 117 (Legendy) III. Allegro giusto (in G Minor) 03:46
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10.
Legends, Op. 59, B. 117 (Legendy) IV. Molto maestoso (in C Major) 05:27
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11.
Legends, Op. 59, B. 117 (Legendy) V. Allegro giusto (in A Flat Major) 03:16
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12.
Legends, Op. 59, B. 117 (Legendy) VI. Allegro con moto (in C Sharp Minor) 04:56
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13.
Legends, Op. 59, B. 117 (Legendy) VII. Allegretto grazioso (in A Major) 02:39
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14.
Legends, Op. 59, B. 117 (Legendy) VIII. Un poco allegretto (in F Major) 03:55
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15.
Legends, Op. 59, B. 117 (Legendy) IX. Andante con moto (in D Major) 02:50
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16.
Legends, Op. 59, B. 117 (Legendy) X. Andante (in B Flat Minor) 03:39
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17.
Polonaise in E Flat Major, B. 100 Moderato maestoso 05:16
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about

“The Prague Piano Duo is beyond reproach throughout & this disc deserves to be much sought after by collectors of musical byways – This disc, very well recorded in 2002, contains music for 4 hands that Dvořák wrote after the success of his first set of Slavonic Dances in 1872. This was largely the result of Dvořák responding to requests from his publisher, Simrock, rather than to his own personal desire.

They all predate his second set of Slavonic dances from 1886. The music on this disc, the Polonaise from 1879, the 10 Legends from 1881 and the 6 Bohemian Forest pieces from 1884. They can therefore be considered as filling the pianistic gap between the two 4 handed sets of Dances. The Polonaise from 1879 is more in the line of an occasional piece and falls into a separate category, perhaps inspired by Chopin’s earlier success in the genre. The second set of dances was less Slavonic than the first set, being Polish and Serbian dances as well as Slovak. They are also more ‘composed’ pieces and less obviously dances in a more natural idiom. This move away from the purer nature of the first set of Slavonic dances also applies to the pieces on this disc.

The 10 short Legends are more focused on creating pictorially inspired moods appropriate to implied images of Slavonic life or history. The thematic textures can be related to possible orchestral settings so it is no surprise that Dvořák later orchestrated them to more popular effect. The following six ‘From the Bohemian Forest’ pieces move even further away from the Slavonic dance idiom and lead the way to his late set of masterly orchestral tone poems from 1896 – the Noonday Witch, Water Goblin, Wood Dove and Golden Spinning Wheel (Op. 107-110). They all share Dvořák’s interest in the publication of A Bouquet of Czech Folktales, a set of tales with a decidedly dark side to them. The husband and wife Prague Piano Duo originally met as students and both were pupils of the legendary Ivan Moravec. What we have here are two indigenous players with Slavonic backgrounds who share an instinctive feel for the Slavonic idiom. Thus, even when the Slavonic dance idiom is not the main focus of the music as in these pieces, that national background still shines through as an integral part of their phrasing and pacing. It imparts to these recordings a special ring of natural authenticity. The playing of the Prague Piano Duo is beyond reproach throughout all this disc.” (Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 February 2017)

Awards: Recommended by Classica, 4* by Le Monde de la Musique, 5 by Diapason

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250173

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released October 1, 2002

Prague Piano Duo

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