Antonín Dvořák

Symphony No. 7 in D Minor, Op. 70, B. 141

While his Symphony No. 9 is better known, Antonín Dvorák's (1841-1904) Symphony No. 7 is argued by many to be his best symphonic work. Inspired in part by his friend Johannes Brahms' new Symphony No. 3, and with a commission from the London Philharmonic Society, Dvorák composed a work with his darkest and most passionate content, writing to one of his friends: "Now I am occupied with my new symphony (for London) and wherever I go I have nothing in mind but my work which must be such again as to make a stir in the world, and God grant that it may." This symphony, which shows comparatively few traces of the composer's folk Czech background, was dedicated to the London Philharmonic Society that commissioned it and is sometimes to referred to as the "London Symphony." It was premiered by the London Philharmonic Orchestra in St. James' Hall, Dvorák conducting, on April 22, 1885. This Critical Edition based on the composer's manuscript was edited by Otakar Šourek. Instrumentation: 2(2dPicc).2.2.2: 4.2.3.0: Timp: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set).