Antonín Dvořák

Te Deum (Op. 103/B. 176)

When the American, music-loving philanthropist, Mrs. Jeannette Thurber, convinced the world-renowned Czech composer Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) to be the new director of her National Conservatory of Music in New York City, she commissioned from him a piece celebrating the 400th anniversary of Columbus Day, planned as a grand cantata for chorus, orchestra, and soloists. Telling Dvorák that she would supply the text (later selecting a poem called "The American Flag"), she suggested that, should she be unable to supply it to him before he left Europe, he should select a Latin Hymn such as 'Te Deum laudamus' or 'Jubilate Deo.' He did precisely this, giving us Te Deum in 1892. With a chorus and operatic solos for soprano and bass, the work adopted the theatricality and drama of Verdi's Requiem and the same solo pairing as Brahms' German Requiem. Movements: 1. Te Deum Laudamus, 2. Tu Rex Gloriae, Christe, 3. Aeterna Fac cum Sanctis, 4. Dignare Domine. Instrumentation: 2.2(1dEH).2.2: 4.2.3.1: Timp.Perc(2-3): Str (4-4-3-3-3 in set): Soli SB: Mix Chor.