Antonin Dvorak in 1882 Photo: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
Antonín Dvořák penned his 'String Quartet No 11' in little more than two weeks in 1881, while he was living in Vienna.
The music blurs the colours of the eastern European folk music of his homeland with western stylistic traits, and very much caters to Viennese tastes of the time.
In this quartet, Dvořák departs from his earlier folk sound by creating condensed layers from thematic and rhythmic ideas. Right from the onset of the first movement he creates depth and expressiveness by transforming both small musical gestures and larger harmonic sections. By the time we reach the finale the music is fizzing with dance rhythms and adventurous harmonies that seem to be trying to burst the formal boundaries of Viennese style.
Dvořák’s 'String Quartet No 11' was originally premièred by virtuoso violinist Joseph Joachim’s quartet.
Recorded 29 June 2019 at St. Mary of the Angels, Wellington by RNZ Concert
Producer/engineer: Darryl Stack
