Ian Deterling

Slavonic Dance No. 8 Clarinet Ensemble

Slavonic Dance No. 8 (Antonín Dvorák)

  • clarinet ensemble

  • ca. 4:30

Score/Parts PDF Preview

Program Notes

Composed by Johannes Brahms, arranged by Ian Deterling.

  • Prior to the publication of Slavonic Dances, Antonín Dvorák (1841-1904) was a relatively unknown composer who had little success in getting works published or performed. In 1877, Dvorák won the Austrian State Prize fellowship with his Moravian Duets. One of the judges that year happened to be Johannes Brahms, who was so impressed with Dvorák’s duets that he recommended them to his publisher, Simrock. The following year, Simrock commissioned Dvorák to compose a series of Slavonic dances for piano duet with the intent of repeating the popularity of  Brahms’ Hungarian Dances. Dvorák’s Slavonic Dances, Op 46 was an immediate success, almost instantly elevating the composer to a celebrity status. 

    Unlike Brahms’ Hungarian Dances, Dvorák’s Slavonic Dances utilize traditional rhythmic patters and structures instead of quoting folk melodies. ‘No. 8’ is based on the furiant; a rapid and lively Bohemian dance in alternating duple and triple meters. This is clearly seen and heard in the first 4 measures; measures 1 and 2 can be thought of as three measures of 2/4 while measures 3 and 4 are heard in 3/4 (see below). This alternating pattern can be heard throughout the piece.

  • Instrumentation:

    • Clarinet in Eb*

    • Clarinet in Bb 1-4

    • Alto Clarinet in Eb*

    • Bass Clarinet in Bb

    • Contrabass Clarinet in Bb

      • *Note: Clarinet in Eb, Alto Clarinet in Eb, and Contrabass Clarinet are optional:

        • Clarinet in Eb doubles Clarinet in Bb 1 (frequently at 8va)

        • Alto Clarinet in Eb doubles Clarinet in Bb 4

        • Contrabass Clarinet doubles Bass Clarinet in Bb (sometimes at 8vb)

  • Performance Notes

    • Divisi

      • Clarinets in Bb 2, 3, 4, and Alto Clarinet have divisi (other parts do not). It is worth noting that Clarinet in Bb 4 and Alto Clarinet in Eb double each other throughout, so only two players would be needed to cover the ‘Clarinet in Bb 4/Alto Clarinet in Eb’ part.

  • Score and set of parts