Fall Concert: Dvořák Quintet
Come join us for an unforgettable evening of classical music at the Scripps Research Auditorium: A performance of Dvořák Piano Quintet no 2 in A major, Op. 81, one of the most cherished works in the chamber music repertoire. Artonic Quartet will be joined by acclaimed pianist Tina Chong for this collaboration, bringing together artistry, precision, and expressive depth.
Dvořák’s Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 81 (1887) stands as one of the greatest works in the chamber music repertoire, born from his dissatisfaction with an earlier quintet in the same key. Composed in just seven weeks at the height of his maturity, the piece seamlessly fuses Czech folk character with Austro-German tradition. Its four movements follow a classical structure but with striking originality: the slow second movement is replaced by a Dumka, a Slavic lament alternating between melancholy and dance, while the scherzo draws on the fiery energy of a furiant. Folk-like melodies, shifting moods between major and minor, and bursts of contrapuntal elegance give the work both national color and universal appeal. The finale, full of spirited themes and playful contrasts, concludes with chorale-like passages that highlight Dvořák’s gift for balancing lyrical beauty and exuberant vitality.
