23rd Annual Student Research Conference
Antonín Dvořák's String Quartet in D Minor, Op. 34: Bohemian Spirit in Classical Form
Alex McKamie*, Carlye Kleczkowski, Sean Kamery, and Bradley Knoch
Dr. Brian X. Kubin, Faculty Mentor
Czech composer Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) completed his String Quartet in D Minor, Op. 34 in 1877. During the period 1875-1892, Dvořák showed increasing interest in Bohemian folk music, incorporating more of its elements into his art music. However, Dvořák also felt it was important to maintain contact with the Western European style of composition, so he worked to strike a balance between that and his need to express the spirit of his country. This resulted in music that presented Czech nationalism in a new way. Dvořák dedicated this string quartet to Johannes Brahms, and Brahms played a crucial role in bringing the work to the attention of the important German music publisher, Simrock. In fact, Brahms was so impressed by this quartet, plus another in E Major, that he wrote to the publisher, declaring that "the best a musician can have, Dvořák has, and it is in these compositions."
Keywords: Dvořák, Bohemia, Czech, string quartet, Romantic Era, nationalism, Johannes Brahms
Topic(s):Music
Presentation Type: Performance Art
Session: 38-1
Location: OP Performance Hall
Time: 1:15