The Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88, B. 163, is a symphony by Antonín Dvořák, composed in 1889 at Vysoká u Příbramě, Bohemia, on the occasion of his election to the Bohemian Academy of Science, Literature and Arts. Dvořák conducted the premiere in Prague on 2 February 1890. In contrast to other symphonies of both the composer and the period, the music is cheerful and optimistic. It was originally published as Symphony No. 4.

History

thumb|left|Dvořák's summer residence, where he composed the symphony

Dvořák composed and orchestrated the symphony within the two-and-a-half-month period from 26 August to 8 November 1889 at his summer resort in Vysoká u Příbramě, Bohemia. The score was composed on the occasion of his admission to Prague Academy and dedicated "To the Bohemian Academy of Emperor Franz Joseph for the Encouragement of Arts and Literature, in thanks for my election." Dvořák conducted the premiere in Prague on 2 February 1890. though "it would be more correct to call it the 'Czech', at least in comparison with its predecessor in D minor which was modelled more on Brahms."

  • Prague, Austria-Hungary: 2 February 1890, conducted by Dvořák himself at Rudolfinum
  • London, Great Britain: 24 April 1890, conducted by Dvořák himself at St James's Hall
  • Frankfurt, German Empire: 7 November 1890, conducted by Dvořák himself
  • Cambridge, Great Britain: 15 May 1891, conducted by Dvořák himself
  • Vienna, Austria-Hungary: 4 January 1891, conducted by Hans Richter
  • Chicago, United States: 12 August 1893, conducted by Dvořák himself at the World's Columbian Exposition
  • London, Great Britain: 19 March 1896, conducted by Dvořák himself

References

Sources

  • Christoph Hahn, Siegmar Hohl (eds.), Bertelsmann Konzertführer. Bertelsmann Lexikon Verlag, Gütersloh/Munich 1993,
  • Annette Retinski, Alfred Beaujean, Harenberg Konzertführer: der Schlüssel zu 600 Werken von 200 Komponisten: mit 800 CD-Empfehlungen der "FonoForum"-Redaktion, fourth edition. Harenberg Kommunikation, Dortmund, 1998. .
  • Hansjürgen Schaefer: Konzertbuch Orchestermusik A-F. VEB Deutscher Verlag für Musik, Leipzig 1958.
  • Info on a comprehensive Dvorak site