4PSY3

This paper is an insight paper of Antonin Dvoraks Slavonic Dance in G

minor, Op. 46 No. 8. There are 16 Slavonic Dances composed in 1878 and
1886 and published in two sets as opus 46 and 72. Originally written for
piano four hands, the Slavonic Dances were inspired by Brahms' Hungarian
Dances and were orchestrated at the request of Dvorak's publisher soon
after composition. The dances are lively and nationalistic. They were well
received at the time and today are among the composer's most memorable
works. Unsure how to begin, Dvorak used Brahms' Hungarian Dances as a
model. There are a number of important differences between the two works.
For example, whereas Brahms made use of actual Hungarian folk melodies,
Dvorak only made use of the characteristic rhythms of Slavic folk music, the
melodies are entirely his own.
The types of dances upon which Dvorak based his music include the
furiant, dumka, polka, sousedska, skocna, mazurka, odzemek, spacirka, kolo
and polonaise. This piece is a furiant dance where in it opens with a
grandiose tune, this piece is also his most popular on all of his Slavonic
Dances. Being a musician who has a little knowledge in classical music by
having played classical guitar, I find his composition soothing and it kinda
helps me get back my rhythm when I played it while studying.