Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70

This Rehearsal is being presented as a Relaxed Experience.

Relaxed Experiences are designed to make artistic spaces more welcoming and comfortable for neuro-diverse audience members, anyone on the autism spectrum, and people with sensory and/or communication disorders or learning disabilities. However, everyone can enjoy and benefit from the relaxed concert environment, including parents with babies and toddlers, individuals with Tourette’s syndrome, anyone who experiences anxiety, and folks who would simply like a more relaxed, easygoing atmosphere when attending a concert!

The WSO would like to acknowledge the support of our volunteers, Prelude Music, Canadian Mennonite University, and our Share the Music program for their support of this endeavour.

Learn more at www.wso.ca/relaxed/

Saturday February 18^th, 2023 @ 12:30 pm

Antonín Dvořák:
Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70

Antonín Dvořák began working on this symphony in December of 1884. He was inspired by our last UNTUXED open rehearsal work, Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 3. Dvořák admired it so much that he started thinking about writing a new symphony himself. And as it just so happened, the London Philharmonic Society had invited him to write a new symphony. One day after his daily walk to Prague railway station, he said “The first subject of my new symphony flashed in to my mind on the arrival of the festive train bringing our countrymen from Pest.”

The Czechs were in fact coming to the National Theatre in Prague, for a musical evening to support the political struggles of the Czech nation. Dvořák decided that his new symphony would reflect this struggle. It only took him five days to complete a sketch of the first movement, and he wrote to one of his friends: “I am now busy with this symphony for London, and wherever I go I can think of nothing else. God grant that this Czech music will move the world!!”

Next year, 2024, will mark this Symphony’s 140^th anniversary, proving that it did indeed move the world.

Join music director Daniel Raiskin as he leads the WSO in a rehearsal of this beautiful work, and discover what it takes to prepare for a performance. Afterwards, the maestro will answer any questions you have about the work or the rehearsal process in a short Q&A.

PROGRAM NOTES

UNTUXED: A unique and casual way to experience the WSO all in one hour.

*Please note this is a working rehearsal. The orchestra may not perform the work the whole way through. The conductor may start and stop the orchestra and discuss things with the musicians.