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MMD > Archives > January 2005 > 2005.01.19 > 07Prev  Next


"Bagatelles" by Dvorak
By Albert Petrak

Bill Chapman, in MMD 050118, spoke of pieces for a very popular keyboard
instrument of the early part of the century (to be found in your
grandmother's parlour, as the usual story goes).  I wanted therefore
to mention one of the outstanding pieces composed specifically for it:
Antonin Dvorak's Bagatelles (5), scored for two violins, cello and
harmonium, Op. 47.  It is said Dvorak set it down in this way because
he had no piano at the place where he was staying.  It is a most
attractive group of his most ethnic compositions, making use of tunes
that sound like folk melodies, but are said to be all original.

It is perfectly okay, apparently, to perform it with piano (Rudolf
Firkusny, for one, did so and recorded it with Juilliard String Quartet
members, released in a 2-CD set Sony 45672.)  It has a "faded charm"
according to some commentators, but I believe mechanical music devotees
would find it "right up their alley."  However, be sure to get the
version with harmonium, rather than the alternate.  You will enjoy!

Albert M. Petrak, Founder
The Reproducing Piano Roll Foundation


(Message sent Wed 19 Jan 2005, 17:26:06 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  Bagatelles, Dvorak

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