“A REMARKABLE FERTILITY OF INVENTION COUPLED WITH AN APPARENT, YET DECEPTIVE, EASE AND SPONTANEITY OF EXPRESSION”

DVORAK, Anton. Slavische Tänze für Pianoforte. Erstes Heft. Zweites Heft. Op. 46. Berlin: N. Simrock, 1879. Two volumes bound as one. Folio, modern full red cloth. $1200.

First edition for solo piano.

"With Smetana and Janácek, [Dvorák] is regarded as one of the greatest composers of the nationalist movement in what is now Czechoslovakia. Of the three, he made the fullest reconciliation of a national idiom with that of symphonic tradition, absorbing folk influences and finding effective ways of using them in orchestral, choral, chamber and (if less distinctively) operatic music. There was scarcely a medium he did not attempt; and throughout, his music is characterized by a remarkable fertility of invention coupled with an apparent, yet deceptive, ease and spontaneity of expression" (New Grove 5: 765). Composed and published early in his career, the Slavische Tänze quickly became popular and helped to establish Dvorák's international reputation: they remained popular throughout his life, and became a common part of his own performance repertoire. First published one year earlier for two pianos, this copy is the first edition in a reduction for solo piano.

A lovely piece in fine condition.