Overview
Introduction
Antonín Dvořák composed his cycle of four Romantic Pieces (in Czech: Romantické kusy) for violin and piano (Op. 75, B. 150) in January 1887. These four pieces are arranged from his previous composition, a trio for two violins and viola, known as Miniatures (in Czech: Drobnosti), (Op. 75a, B. 149).
Structure
Miniatures, trio for two violins and viola
Originally the set was untitled, but Dvořák called it Miniatures in the aforementioned letter to Simrock. Kruis added the titles to the individual movements, apparently in agreement with the composer. Dvořák completed the cycle of four non-related little pieces with different themes, with apparent influence of Robert Schumann. A performance of the four pieces would take approximately 14 minutes.
- Cavatina (Moderato), B♭ major, 4/4
- Capriccio (Poco allegro), D minor, 2/4
- Romance (Allegro), B♭ major, 4/4
- Elegy or Ballad, (Larghetto), G minor, 9/8
The first movement opens in the calm mood of the first violin; only in the middle part is the expression more passionate. The movement is accompanied with a rhythmical ostinato in the second violin and with a "bass" accompaniment in the viola. The second movement is written in an optimistic mood, with simple harmonic variations. It also contains some reminiscences of folk music, particularly at the end. The shape and mood of the third movement is rather dreamy. The melodic line of the first violin is accompanied by triplets in the second violin. The last movement is the most complicated; its elegic mood develops from short opening passage. Dvořák probably intended to create another movement, but it was unfinished, only eight bars are preserved. The whole composition ends with a slow movement, which is rather atypical.
Romantic pieces for violin and piano
Dvořák left the musical content of the arrangement for violin and piano almost unchanged; he only slightly altered the harmonic foundations in the first movement (bars 30–36), and extended the end of the third movement with an additional four bars. He also renamed the second and third movements.
- Allegro moderato, B♭ major, 4/4
- Allegro maestoso, D minor, 2/4
- Allegro appassionato, B♭ major, 4/4
- Larghetto, G minor, 9/8
