ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK

“No matter how small a nation, it will not die if it has its own art. An artist must love his homeland.” These words of the father of the Czech national symphony, Antonín Dvořák, became a guide to his life and work. Waldesruhe (Silent Woods) is the fifth piece from the piano cycle Ze Šumavy (The Bohemian Forest, or Šumava, Czech Republic), Op. 68. Commissioned by Fritz Simrock, the famous publisher, the cycle was composed in 1883. In 1891, Dvořák arranged Waldesruhe for cello and piano. The piece was featured on his farewell concert tour in Bohemia and Moravia. The piano part was performed by Dvořák, the cello – by the composer’s friend Hanus Wihan. This version became so popular that in 1893 the composer made an arrangement for cello and orchestra. The lyrical hero of Waldesruhe wanders in the beautiful Czech forest. Lasting only six minutes, this composition is the cello’s gentle and majestic song for nature.

The recording features Waldesruhe version for cello and strings by Anatolijus Šenderovas performed by David Geringas and the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra.