ROYAL LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA - Dvoøák in America

All-Dvoøák programme: American Suite in A major
The Water Goblin, symphonic poem Aria of the Water Goblin from Rusalka Symphony No.9 ‘From The New World’

A rousing concert opens our Preston series as one of the greatest Czech conductors conducts music by one of the greatest Czech composers. Written during the composer’s visit to the United States, the ‘New World’ Symphony is one of the most popular symphonies performed today. At its premiere at Carnegie Hall the reception was one of perpetual cheering.

The Water Goblin is the most darkly dramatic of the four symphonic poems that Dvor¢ák based on Czech folk tales. It tells of a fearsome goblin who exacts a terrible revenge on the mortal girl who has abandoned him. This tale fascinated Dvor¢ák so much that he returned to it in 1900, this time as a full-length opera, Rusalka. In the Aria of the Water Goblin, Rusalka’s father Vodník urges her to caution.

The sparkling ‘American’ Suite, originally written for piano in New York in 1895 and later orchestrated by the composer, gives a surprising taste of the Deep South with a cakewalk, the precursor of ragtime.

Libor Pešek KBE conductor
Ján Galla baritone