In 1878, the Berlin publisher Fritz Simrock asked Antonín Dvorák to write a series of Czech and Moravian dances for piano four hands, in the style of Brahms' successful "Hungarian dances". Within two months, Dvorák complied with the request with eight Slavic dances. The collection was a great success and some felt that the dances should be orchestrated immediately. However, Dvorák was smart
… enough to foresee this question, as he had already started the orchestration before he even finished the piano version. That same year the orchestrated version of the first set of Slavic dances was released and within a few years this music was played by orchestras all over Europe. The second set with Slavic dances came about less quickly, because Dvorák struggled to do something he had already done. Nevertheless, a second collection was published in 1886 with eight more dances. As far as the composer is concerned, this version could have remained for four hands piano. However, his publisher Simrock was so keen on commercial success that he threatened to outsource the orchestration to another composer. Dvorák went back to work and in 1887 Simrock was able to publish the orchestral version. Both sets have been released on CD in a performance by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Mackerras. (HJ) _ that he threatened to outsource the orchestration to another composer. Dvorák went back to work and in 1887 Simrock was able to publish the orchestral version. Both sets have been released on CD in a performance by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Mackerras. (HJ) _ that he threatened to outsource the orchestration to another composer. Dvorák went back to work and in 1887 Simrock was able to publish the orchestral version. Both sets have been released on CD in a performance by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Mackerras. (HJ) _more
