Mazurek for Violin and Orchestra in E minor, Op. 49, B90
Opus number
49
Burghauser catalogue number
90
Date of composition
completed 15 February 1879
Premiere - date and place
25 December 1879, Plzeň
Premiere performer(s)
Rudolf Nováček, 11th Infantry Regiment Band, conductor Karel Komzák
First edition
Simrock, 1879, Berlin
Main key
E minor
Instrumentation
2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, timpani, violins, violas, cellos, double basses + violin solo
Duration
approx. 6 min.
Dvořák wrote his Mazurek in E minor at the request of his publisher Simrock who, after the success of Slavonic Dances, commissioned from the composer a short piece for violin in the same style. The simple form is constructed from two contrasting themes, one highly rhythmical, the other lyrical. Simrock published the Mazurek the year it was written, and it bore a dedication to Pablo de Sarasate. The piece also exists in a version with piano accompaniment.