Gryphon Trio: Czech Masters August 17, 2012

Piano Trio No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 90, “Dumky” Antonín Dvořák

Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 15 Bedřich Smetana

A Bohemian rhapsody of romantic Czech music awaits you. Bedr ̆ich Smetana and Antonín Dvořák were the musical father figures who gave voice to the folk music of their native country in the Romantic era. Smetana is best known for his set of picturesque tone poems Má Vlast (“My country”). The heartfelt Piano Trio in G minor was without question Smetana’s first great masterpiece, and was much admired by Franz Liszt. In the 1860s, Smetana was also the director of the theatre orchestra in which the younger Antonín Dvořák dabbled as a violist. Thirty years later, Dvořák was an international celebrity, being wooed to teach in America. Before departing his homeland, he gave a forty-concert tour that featured his colourful Dumky Piano Trio, filled with “fleeting thoughts” of Czech folk songs and dances.

Official Website: http://www.musicfestvancouver.ca/home/concertInfo.php?id=398