Hussite Overture

The Hussite Overture (Czech: Husitská, dramatická ouvertura), Op. 67, B. 132, was written by Antonín Dvořák in 1883 for the gala opening of the Prague National Theater.[1] The composition was originally intended as a part of a dramatic trilogy on the Bohemian religious leader Jan Hus.

As with the third piano trio, the Scherzo capriccioso, the Ballade in D minor, and the seventh symphony, composed in the same period, the work is written in a more dramatic, dark and aggressive style that supersedes the carefree folk style of Dvořák's "Slavonic period".[2]

The overture is scored for piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, cor anglais, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion (bass drum, cymbals, triangle), harp, and strings.

References

  1. ^ "En/Hussite-overture | antonin-dvorak.cz".
  2. ^ Döge, Klaus (2001). "Dvořák, Antonín (Leopold)". Grove Music Online (8th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0.