Symphony in F (Dohnányi)

Ernő Dohnányi completed his first symphony, unnumbered and entitled Symphony in F, in 1896,[1] while a student of Hans von Koessler. It was never formally published, and although awarded the Hungarian King's Prize,[2] it did not achieve significant critical acclaim. The work, like many of Dohnányi's early compositions, bears the imprint of Johannes Brahms, who had championed the young composer after hearing a performance of Dohnányi's Piano Quintet No. 1. The Symphony in F was given moderate attention after being recorded in 2011. It is approximately thirty minutes in length.

It requires 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani and strings[1] and while not published in his lifetime, exists in sketches and score at the National Széchényi Library, Budapest.[1] It was premiered 2 June 1897, in Budapest with Gyula Erkel (son of Ferenc) conducting.[1]

Form

Dohnányi wrote the work in the traditional four-movement symphonic format. He marks the score with the following:

1. Allegro
2. Adagio
3. Scherzo – Prestissimo
4. Andante

Recording

In 2011, the symphony's premiere recording (and only recording to date) was conducted by László Kovács.[3]

See also

• Johannes Brahms
• Hans von Koessler
• Music of Hungary

References

1. on May 17. See Grymes, James A. (2001). Ernst von Dohnányi : a bio-bibliography (e-Book). Bio-bibliographies in music. Vol. 86. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press. p. 41. ISBN 0-313-07440-2. Retrieved February 19, 2013. Cited in VIAF. Appears as W111 in the listing.
2. Grymes 2005, p. 4.
3. László Kovács (with the Miskolc Symphony Orchestra), recorded and released in 2011 on Ernő Dohnányi (1877-1960): Symphony in F, Zrínyi Overture, Op. 2, Suite en valse, Op. 39 (Hungaroton Records Publisher Ltd) as "Dohnányi: Symphony in F" (29:34)

• Von Dohnanyi, Ilona (2002). Ernst Von Dohnanyi: A Song of Life. Indiana University Press. ISBN 0253341035
• Grymes, James A., ed. (2005). Perspectives on Ernst Von Dohnányi. Lanham US-MD: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0810851252. Retrieved 2014-01-20.