The Detroit Medical Orchestra
November 2024
Detroit School of Arts
Detroit, MI 48201
CONCERT #1 OF THE 2024-25 SEASON
BALAKIREV
SMETANA
DVORAK
This event is sponsored in part by Michigan Arts & Culture Council, as well as the National Foundation for the Arts. In addition, thank you to the Zipser Foundation for their support this season.
ABOUT
The DMO entered its 16th season in 2024, with the first concert featuring works by Balakirev, Smetana, and Dvorak.
BALAKIREV
Overture on Czech Themes "In Bohemia"
Mily Balakirev (1837-1910) was a central figure in Russian nationalist music and the leader of “The Mighty Handful,” a group of composers who sought to create a distinctly Russian sound free of European influences. The group included Alexander Borodin, Cesar Cui, Modest Mussorgsky, and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and is better known today as “The Five”. Balakirev was fascinated by Slavic folk traditions, including those outside of Russia, and believed in the potential for music to reflect cultural and national character. Through his friendships with figures like Bedřich Smetana, the Czech composer and fellow nationalist, Balakirev embraced a vision of unity among Slavic peoples, and he often drew upon this shared heritage in his compositions.
Overture on Czech Themes "In Bohemia" (1867) reflectsBalakirev’s admiration for Czech folk music and culture. The pieceweaves together traditional Czech themes in a lush orchestration,portraying both the vibrancy and resilience of Czech spirit. Theoverture captures lively dance rhythms and folk melodies, offeringa powerful example of how music can celebrate cultural identity.Written during a time when the Czech people were asserting theirnational identity under Austrian rule, Balakirev’s work serves as agesture of solidarity and admiration, linking Russian and Czechnational aspirations. This piece, like Smetana’s The Moldau andDvořák’s Symphony No. 7, transforms folk elements into thesymphonic medium, illustrating a shared Slavic pride and theresilience of cultural expression in music.
SMETANA
The Moldau from Ma vlast
Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884), often regarded as the father of Czech music, was a leading figure in the movement to establish a distinct national identity in Czech music during the 19th century. Amidst the political tensions of his time, Smetana infused his compositions with Czech folk themes, landscapes, and patriotic sentiments. A fierce advocate for Czech independence from Austrian rule, Smetana’s music became a voice for his homeland. His most famous work, Ma Vlást (“My Homeland”), is a cycle of six symphonic poems celebrating Czech history, folklore, and landscapes. Within this collection, The Moldau (Vltava) stands out as a poignant homage to the river that flows through the heart of the Czech lands, symbolizing the country’s natural beauty and cultural endurance.
In The Moldau, Smetana invites listeners to journey along the river, capturing its essence through musical imagery. Beginning with the gentle sounds of rippling water, represented by flutes and muted strings, the piece gradually unfolds to depict the river’s increasing strength and momentum. The composition weaves through scenes of forests, hunting parties, and joyous village dances, all evoking aspects of Czech life along the Vltava’s banks. As the river flows past majestic castles and ancient fortresses, Smetana’s music swells into a grand and proud theme, symbolizing the enduring spirit of the Czech people. With its evocative landscapes and patriotic fervor, The Moldau has become an iconic work, celebrated for both its beauty and its role as a symbol of national identity.
DVORAK
Symphony No. 7 in D Minor, Op. 70, B. 141
Antonin Dvořák (1841–1904) composed his Symphony No. 7 in D Minor, Op. 70 at the height of his career. Written between 1884 and 1885, this symphony is often considered Dvořák’s most dramatic and cohesive, embodying his deep engagement with Czech nationalism and mastery of the symphonic form. Unlike his lighter, folk-inspired works, Symphony No. 7 is imbued with a sense of struggle and passion, capturing both personal and national themes that resonate with audiences far beyond Bohemia.
He completed a sketch of the first movement in five days, and he wrote to one of his friends: "I am now busy with this symphony for London, and wherever I go I can think of nothing else. God grant that this Czech music will move the world!!" The first movement, Allegro maestoso, opens with a dark, brooding theme that sets the symphony's serious tone. A hushed and mysterious introduction builds into a powerful, urgent statement. This movement is marked by emotional intensity and features themes of resistance and hope that clash and intertwine, painting a picture of both inner turmoil and collective struggle.
He finished his sketch of the slow movement ten days later. He added a footnote "From the sad years". This likely refers to the recent death of his mother, and probably also to the previous death of his eldest child. The second movement, Poco adagio, provides astark contrast with its reflective, lyrical melody. Dvořák crafts a tender, song-like theme, often interpreted as a meditation on the beauty of the Czech homeland or a lament for its struggles. This movement’s warmth and sensitivity bring a sense of peace and introspection, as if offering a reprieve from the tension of the first movement.
In the third movement, Scherzo: Vivace – Poco meno mosso, Dvořák introduces a lively, dance-like character reminiscent of Czech folk music. This movement is brisk and rhythmic, showcasing syncopated, folk-inspired melodies that convey joy and vitality. However, the underlying tension never fully dissipates, as if hinting at a lingering unease amidst the festivities.The final movement, Allegro, is a powerful culmination of the symphony’s themes. It opens with an insistent, almost restless theme, propelling the movement forward with an intense, forward-driving energy. As it progresses, the movement weaves between triumph and despair, ultimately resolving in a majestic yet ambiguous conclusion. Dvořák later said that the 4th movement includes a suggestion of the capacity of the Czech people to display stubborn resistance to political oppressors.