Izabella Simon & Dénes Várjon Photo: Felvegi Andrea focuspoint
Dvořák's first set of Slavonic Dances for piano four-hands were written in early 1878 at the request of his publisher Fritz Simrock. Inspired by Brahms's Hungarian Dances, they proved to be very popular, using totally original melodies alongside traditional Slavic rhythms. Each movement is based on a different type of dance. No 2 represents the dumka - a folk ballad or lament; and No 6 is a sousedská - a Czech folk dance similar to a waltz.
Recorded in Nelson Centre of Musical Arts by RNZ
Sound Engineer: Darryl Stack
