Antonin Dvorak - Serenade for strings
Mov. 4 - Larghetto
Chamber Orchestra of Belgium - conducted by Benjamin Haemhouts
Live recording @ Concertgebouw Amsterdam
20-03-'13

Dvorak - Serenade for strings - Mov. 4

This piece originates from Robert Schumann's 'Album für die Jugend' - a collection of 43 short works that were composed for his three daughters. The opus 68 'Album für die Jugend' is, unlike 'Kinderszenen', meant to be played by children, although the collection is divided in two parts - and the second is marked 'Für Erwachsenere', from no. 19, 'Kleine Romanze', onwards. 

'Wilder Reiter', or - as it is more commonly referred to, 'The Wild Horseman', is the eight piece of the collection. It is a short and easy, albeit wonderful piece due to its evocative, enthralling composition. It is essentially a lesson in staccato phrasing (one can really imagine the horseman trotting about), and teaches the pianist how to lead the cantabile with both hands, while accompanying with the other. The first section, where the melody is led by the right hand, is repeated. What follows is an intermezzo, if you will, where the left hand leads the melody - an inverse variation on the first section. The piece concludes with a third repetition of the first section. 

I am fascinated by the images that the piece conjures. Is the horseman clad in medieval armour, riding past you in a jousting roundabout? In measures 5 through 8 I deliberately retained some intensity in favour of conveying how the horseman has galloped past the listener (who is of course, stationary), and is making another pass. The second section, measures 9 through 16, seem to indicate the 'wild' in the horseman. Is he perhaps struggling to contain the horse, who has run amok? But then the first section is repeated, and the controlled, frivolous atmosphere reassures and consoles the listener. 

illustration: Géricault - 'Head of White Horse', ca. 1810, Musée du Louvre, Paris

R. Schumann - Wilder Reiter (The Wild Horseman) op. 68 no. 8 in A minor

Jun Keller, violin // Hiroshi Kato, piano // live recording

Kreisler: Schön Rosmarin

This "Chaconne Paysanne" from "Dance Suite no.2", draws inspiration from the traditional chaconne form while incorporating elements evocative of rural life. Built around a recurring rhythmic motif, the piece explores a range of harmonic and melodic variations that alternately reflect the discipline of agricultural work and the vitality of popular folk dances.

The composition stands out for its balance between the classical structure inherited from the Baroque era and a more direct, intentionally uncluttered writing style that highlights the simplicity and authenticity of the sonorities. This approach creates an atmosphere that is both solid and lively, remaining faithful to the spirit of the rural traditions that inspired the work.
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Cette "Chaconne Paysanne" issu de la "Suite de Danse no.2" pour piano, composée par Pierre Fontaine, s’inspire de la forme traditionnelle de la chaconne tout en y intégrant des éléments évocateurs du monde rural. Basée sur un motif rythmique répété, la pièce explore différentes variations harmoniques et mélodiques qui traduisent tour à tour la rigueur du travail de la terre et la vitalité des danses populaires.

La composition se distingue par son équilibre entre la structure classique héritée du baroque et une écriture plus moderne, volontairement dépouillée, qui met en valeur la simplicité et l’authenticité des sonorités. Cette approche permet de créer une atmosphère à la fois solide et vivante, fidèle à l’esprit des traditions paysannes qui ont inspiré l’œuvre.

Recorded: July 23rd, 2025
Composer & Pianist: Pierre Fontaine
Dedicated to Stéphane Delplace.

Score available for purchase on pierrefontaine.composer@gmail.com

Copyright Pierre Fontaine © All rights reserved

Painting : "La Danse des paysans (Der Bauerntanz)", Pieter Brueghel l'Ancien, 1567

Chaconne Paysanne | Petite Orchestre Symphonique

Chopin - Waltz Op. 64 No. 2

Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake (Highlights)

Swan Lake: Act I: Dance of the goblets

Sergei Prokofiev  Romeo And Juliet Suite No. 1 From The Ballet Op. 64bis (1936)

DONALD RUNNICLES conducts
SIBELIUS Symphony No. 7

This performance was recorded during concerts January 18-21, 2018.

Sergei Prokofiev Romeo And Juliet Suite No. 1 From The Ballet Op. 64bis (1936)

Ma´ximo

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