Dvořák – Serenade for strings [analysis] – PART 1: movements 1 and 2

Introduction

1875, the year in which the Serenade for strings op.22 was written, was quite an intense one for Dvořák. It’s the year that marks his 5th symphony, the 2nd string quintet, and the famous Moravian duets among other works. Dvořák was beginning to be recognized as a composer which eased his mind of financial burdens.

Antonín Dvořák in 1882 

Antonín Dvořák: an analysis of the Serenade for strings – Mov. 1 and 2

First movement: Moderato

In case you don’t have it at hand, here’s a quick link to the score.

The first movement smells of a serene night in late spring, with a lovely breeze. It’s in an ABA structure, beginning with a delicate theme that – just like with Elgar’s piece – will come back in the last movement.
Played by the second violins, it’s accompanied by a gentle pulsing of the violas, while the cellos answer in the second bar