Leonovich - Fantasia On Themes from Dvořák's Opera Rusalka for Cello and Piano

The Rusalka Fantasia is an audience favorite. After Leonovich's Doina, it has been Leonovich’s most performed work and has been recorded by Brian Thornton. The original Fantasie on Dvořák’s opera, written in the composer’s teens, was discarded and completely rewritten. The present version of the Fantasie was written after hearing the Cleveland

The Rusalka Fantasia is an audience favorite. After Leonovich's Doina, it has been Leonovich’s most performed work and has been recorded by Brian Thornton. The original Fantasie on Dvořák’s opera, written in the composer’s teens, was discarded and completely rewritten. The present version of the Fantasie was written after hearing the Cleveland Orchestra’s semi-staged performance of the opera. The motives tied to the characters and scenes are tightly knit in Dvořák’s opera. Leonovich preserved this aspect in Fantasie. Only the last two scenes from the Fantasie will be performed today. Rusalka’s Song to the Moon is the most famous extract from the opera. It opens with a harp solo, representing water. The harp introduction is followed by a woodwind interlude with Rusalka’s motive. The cello sings Rusalka’s aria, a desire that the moon sends her love to the prince. The final scene of the Fantasie is the Polonaise (Ballet). When the Polonaise rhythm is finally established, the cello presents a happy version of Rusalka’s motive. The four-note “warning“ motive is heard in the piano bass notes before the virtuosic ending.