Hussite Overture
The Hussite Overture, Op. 67, B. 132, was written by Antonín Dvořák in 1883 for the gala opening of the Prague National Theater. The composition was originally intended as a part of a dramatic trilogy on the Bohemian religious leader Jan Hus.
As with the third piano trio, the Scherzo capriccioso, the Ballade in D minor, and the seventh symphony, composed in the same period, the work is written in a more dramatic, dark and aggressive style that supersedes the carefree folk style of Dvořák's "Slavonic period".
The overture is scored for piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, cor anglais, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion, harp, and strings.
Performance history
Performances of Dvořák's Hussite Overture.- Prague, Austria-Hungary: 18 November 1883, conducted by Mořic Stanislav Anger
- Prague, Austria-Hungary: 19 November 1883, conducted by Mořic Stanislav Anger
- London, Great Britain: 20 March 1884, conducted by Dvořák himself
- Berlin, German Empire: 21 November 1884, conducted by Dvořák himself
- Prague, Austria-Hungary: 3 April 1887, conducted by Dvořák himself
- Frankfurt, German Empire: 7 November 1890, conducted by Dvořák himself
- Worcester, United States: 28 September 1893, conducted by Dvořák himself