About this edition
Composed in the late summer and autumn of 1889 at his beloved country retreat in Vysoká, Dvořák's Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88 stands apart from his other symphonies in its sunny, pastoral spirit and its embrace of Bohemian folk character. Premiered in Prague on February 2, 1890, under the composer's own baton, the work unfolds with a freshness and spontaneity that has made it one of the most beloved symphonies of the late Romantic repertoire — from the cellos' lyrical G-minor opening through the wistful Adagio, the lilting Allegretto grazioso, and the trumpet fanfare that launches the variation finale.
This score reproduces the first edition published by Novello, Ewer & Co. of London in 1892 (plate number 9231), prepared during the period when Dvořák's international reputation was at its height and his music was in great demand among English audiences. Novello, one of the most distinguished music publishing houses of the nineteenth century, brought out this full score shortly after the work's premiere — a fact that has led some to refer to the symphony as the "English" Symphony, though the music itself is thoroughly Czech. As an early authoritative source, this edition remains an invaluable reference for conductors and scholars studying the work's original presentation.
About this edition:
- Format: full orchestral score (conductor's score with all instrumental parts in score order)
- Page size: 8.5 x 11 inches
- Reproduced faithfully from a public domain historical source
- Published by Purple 4R Publishing
- Source edition: London: Novello, Ewer & Co., 1892, plate 9231 (first edition)
Purple 4R Publishing is delighted to bring this historic public domain score back into print, making Dvořák's radiant Eighth Symphony readily available to conductors, orchestral players, students, and music lovers everywhere. We hope it serves you well in study, rehearsal, and performance.