Prague Waltzes

Composer: DVOŘÁK, Antonín
  • Dvořák composed his Pražské valčíky (“Prague Waltzes”) in 1879 for the 30th anniversary Národní Beseda gala ball.1
    • Beseda is a Czech word that means “friendly conversation.” In the 19th Century, it began to be used as a term for social entertainments or concerts with the aim of education about, or revival of, Czech cultural practices. It also came to mean a Czech ball featuring national dances.2
    • Národní Beseda means “national Beseda.” This was a national Czech ball that took place annually.3
  • In response to a music critic’s complaint that Czech dance music had become pedestrian, the Národní Beseda invited Czech composers to provide new music for the 1879 gala ball. The Prague Waltzes were Dvořák’s contribution.4

Sources

  1. Klaus Döge, “Dvořák, Antonín,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed September 5, 2019, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000051222.
  2. John Tyrrell, “Beseda,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed September 5, 2019, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000002952.
  3. Ibid.
  4. “Prague Waltzes,” Antonin-Dvorak.cz, accessed September 5, 2019, http://www.antonin-dvorak.cz/en/prague-waltzes.

Cut IDs

19414