New Zealand String Quartet Photo: Bruce Harris
Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) was one of the first Czech composers to achieve widespread recognition.
In 1887, having recently composed his famous piano trio and the seventh symphony, Dvořák was becoming known for the characteristic Czech flavour of his music. This is long before he moved to America and composed nostalgic works such as the Symphony from the New World. His second piano quintet features a dumka (lament) in the second movement and the third movement the furiant (a fast and furious dance).
This four-movement work is acknowledged as one of the masterpieces in the piano quintet form, along with those of Schumann, Brahms and Shostakovich.
Recorded in Nelson Centre of Musical Arts by RNZ
Sound Engineer: Darryl Stack
