Dvořák: Bagatelles, Op. 47 (Maličkosti)

Description

Dvořák was working on his first series of Slavonic Dances when it was requested that he write a piece for a private circle of chamber enthusiasts, musician friends with whom the composer occasionally performed as violist or harmonium player. Over the course of a few days in May 1878 he produced a quartet for two violins, cello and harmonium, originally entitled Maličkosti (Bagatelles); the printed version later introduced the title Bagatelles. Although the themes are less complicated and fewer demands are made on the players, this cannot be described as music "in a simpler style".