Antonín Dvořák Antonín Dvořák composed two piano quintets in A major. The first, written in his late twenties and early thirties, was revised some 15 years later, after he had largely destroyed it. Dissatisfied with this work, Dvořák began composing a new quintet for the same instrumentation and in the same key in 1887. The result was the Piano Quintet Op. 81, which he completed between August 18 and October 3, 1887.[5][1] The premiere took place on January 6, 1888, in Prague and quickly brought the piece international acclaim.[1]
The work opens with a warm, relaxed cello theme complemented by a restrained piano accompaniment. The atmosphere quickly shifts to a minor key and develops into dramatic passages, introducing a certain restlessness and melancholy into the movement. A characteristic feature is the presence of minor melodies, which permeate the movement and lend it a melancholic undertone.
The second movement, a "Dumka," is characterized by an alternation between melancholic and cheerful episodes. The melody moves between the instruments, taking on different timbres. Various variations of the main theme ultimately lead the movement to a tranquil conclusion.
The Scherzo, also called "Furiant," eschews rhythmic extravagance, instead relying on energetic passages without irregular accents. In the finale, the piano quintet begins tentatively, develops into staccato-like sections, and finally ends with a flourish.