[an error occurred while processing this directive]Antonín DVORÁK (1841-1904)
Complete Works for Solo Piano Vol.2 | Vol.1
(Early works, 1855-79????)Two Furiants Op 42
Eight Waltzes Op 54
Four Eclogues B 103
Scottish Dances Op 41INNA POROSHINA piano
ESS.A.Y Recordings CD1060
[57:00] full-price
by Chang Tou Liang
Despite the great popularity of his two sets of Slavonic Dances, the piano music of the Bohemian Nationalist composer Antonin Dvorák languishes in relative obscurity. Only one piano work of his is readily known, the ubiquitous but ultimately inconsequential Humoresque in G-flat major, Op.101 No.7, and even that is better known in its other guises, e.g. in transcription for violin and piano.
The very informative booklet notes by Kevin Bazzana (author of an exhaustive tome on Glenn Gould) do not apologise for Dvorák, but instead hold the view that his piano music was largely for amateur consumption rather that for concert performances. Dvorák would have a variety of publishers publish his music, with the quality dependent on what he thought of each publisher!
The piano music in this set come from Dvorák's "middle period" (1877-1880), contemporaneous with his first set of Slavonic Dances (Op .46), the Slavonic Rhapsodies for orchestra and his Sixth Symphony. Like the afore-mentioned, the music is strongly flavored by folk music and Dvorák's nationalistic sprit.
The two Furiants, the longest tracks in the programme, are full of spirit and lively rhythms, though having absolutely nothing to do with the word "fury". These are closest in spirit to the Slavonic Dances, prompting remarks that they could have been Slavonic Dance "rejects". They stand-alone and could make effective concert items.
The Eight Waltzes, Op.54 takes up 25 minutes of the disc. The obvious comparison would be with Chopin's marvellous works in this genre. These are likeable, unpretentious country folds from the Bohemian forests, a far cry from Chopin's Parisian chic sophisticates. Dvorák's Waltz No.4 in D-flat major opens very much like Chopin "Minute Waltz", also in the same key, but goes on its merry way to a rustic wedding instead of a high society ball. Do not expect to hear these performed in concert, they belong snugly at home.
An "eclogue" is a "pastorale", a countryside scene with shepherds and their herds. Perhaps the most familiar eclogue is the one from Liszt's "Years of Pilgrimage" (Swiss album). Dvorák's Four Eclogues of 1880 are similarly simple in scope. The third piece however has a scintillating middle section that calls for a nimbleness of touch.
The Scottish Dances do not feel particularly Gaelic and are much in the spirit of Chopin's Trois Ecossaises except that Dvorák makes his sound Czech as Chopin's sound Polish.
The Russian (or Ukrainian?) pianist Inna Poroshina attempts to imbue the fairly thin material of this music with a sheen of color and tonal richness. To this end she succeeds but does not elevate these works to a level higher than the salon piece s these were meant to be.
A more important question is whether this and the rest of Dvorák's Piano music (ESS.A.Y Recordings will release 5 CDs in total) is worth exploring. A firm yes for all Dvorák completists and those curious in exploring off the beaten Rudolf Firkusny's excellent traversal of Czech piano music on the Budget VoxBox label; it has Dussek, Vorisek, Smetana and Dvorák - which includes his Theme and Variations (his most substantial piano work) and that Humoresque.
The timings given on the CD cover are all mixed up (an erratum and apology have been inserted) while the unnumbered pages of the review copy have been wrongly stapled, giving the unsuspecting reader a run-around for the information provided within. So its back to the drawing boards for the booklet producer!
This disc is available at or can be ordered from Borders (Wheelock Place) or Tower Records (Pacific Plaza & Suntec City).
Chang Tou Liang is a family physician and is presently launching a campaign on concert etiquette and a host for a forthcoming radio show "Bluff Your Way through Classical Music".
Back to the Classical Index!... or read previous piano reviews and features at the InkpotOther classical music reviews by this or any other writer can be obtained from the InkVault by doing a key word search with the writer's name.
542: 1.8.1999 ©Chang Tou Liang
Readers' Comments
From: Richard Kapp (info@essaycd.com / Thursday, August 19, 1999 at 20:40:32)
Re the booklet: we were appalled when the mistake was discovered after we had already sent out review and distribution copies. Our final proof was correct in all respects; it turns out that our graphics house mis-assembled the pages in sending them out to the printer and the printer diligently followed the incorrect instructions. If you think this is a problem for the reader - and it is - imagine the problem for a small label that tries to adhere to high quality standards and finds that its product has reached the market with a distressing error of this sort. We have recalled all copies with our distributor, reprinted the booklets in corrected form, removed the old ones, inserted the new ones and sent them out again. If any Inkpot reader gets a defective booklet, please contact ESS.A.Y and we will send the corrected one.
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