| 1889 | Antonin Dvorak | Symphony No. 8 in G major | |
| Instrumentation | Strings, 2 flutes (1 doubling picc.), 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani | ||
| Movements | I: Allegro con brio (G) II: Adagio (c – C) III: Allegretto grazioso (g – G) IV: Allegro ma non troppo (G) | ||
| Overview | The Eighth symphony was written at the height of the Dvorak’s fame his Slavonic Dances in particular, written a decade earlier, had been an enormous commercial success. The symphony is characterised by the large number of lyrical melodies that seem to tumble out as the work progresses – it is more relaxed and bucolic than some of his earlier works.
See full score / watch on Youtube |
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| B) 1st mov. / sonata | Although the work is in G major, the piece starts (like Haydn 104) with an introduction in G minor:
What is more unusual is that Dvorak brings that introductory material back at all the major structural points, including the beginning of the development and recapitulation, where the turn back to G major produces a very forceful and satisfying resolution: |
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