Symphony in F (Dohnányi)
Ernő Dohnányi completed his first symphony, unnumbered and entitled Symphony in F, in 1896,[1] while a student of Hans von Koessler. It was never formally published, and although awarded the Hungarian King's Prize,[2] it did not achieve significant critical acclaim. The work, like many of Dohnányi's early compositions, bears the imprint of Johannes Brahms, who had championed the young composer after hearing a performance of Dohnányi's Piano Quintet No. 1. The Symphony in F was given moderate attention after being recorded in 2011. It is approximately thirty minutes in length.
It requires 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani and strings[1] and while not published in his lifetime, exists in sketches and score at the National Széchényi Library, Budapest.[1] It was premiered 2 June 1897, in Budapest with Gyula Erkel (son of Ferenc) conducting.[1]
Form
Dohnányi wrote the work in the traditional four-movement symphonic format. He marks the score with the following:
- Allegro
- Adagio
- Scherzo – Prestissimo
- Andante
Recording
In 2011, the symphony's premiere recording (and only recording to date) was conducted by László Kovács.[3]
References
- on May 17. See Grymes, James A. (2001). Ernst von Dohnányi : a bio-bibliography (e-Book). Bio-bibliographies in music. Vol. 86. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press. p. 41. ISBN 0-313-07440-2. Retrieved February 19, 2013. Cited in VIAF. Appears as W111 in the listing.
- Grymes 2005, p. 4.
- László Kovács (with the Miskolc Symphony Orchestra), recorded and released in 2011 on Ernő Dohnányi (1877-1960): Symphony in F, Zrínyi Overture, Op. 2, Suite en valse, Op. 39 (Hungaroton Records Publisher Ltd) as "Dohnányi: Symphony in F" (29:34)
- Von Dohnanyi, Ilona (2002). Ernst Von Dohnanyi: A Song of Life. Indiana University Press. ISBN 0253341035
- Grymes, James A., ed. (2005). Perspectives on Ernst Von Dohnányi. Lanham US-MD: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0810851252. Retrieved 2014-01-20.