The Suite in F-sharp minor, Op. 19, sometimes called "Suite romantique", was written by Ernő Dohnányi in 1909, while he was teaching at the Berlin Hochschule für Musik. It is characterised by brilliant and lush scoring, and witty and engaging melodies with a Hungarian accent.
Contents
History
Dohnányi wrote the Suite simultaneously with the pantomime The Veil of Pierrette, Op. 18. After completing the first two tableaux of Pierrette, he wrote the first two movements of the Suite, then completed Pierrette and then the Suite.
It had its premiere performance in Budapest on 21 February 1910, under the composer's baton. It was published in 1911.
The first performance in England was on 9 October 1913, at a Prom Concert in the Queen's Hall, London, under Sir Henry Wood.
The Suite takes 25 to 30 minutes to play. It is in four movements:
Orchestration
Dohnányi scored the Suite for piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, English horn, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, 3 timpani, triangle, cymbals, snare drum, bass drum, castanets, 2 harps, and strings.
Recordings
The first recording of the Suite in F-sharp minor was by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Frederick Stock, in 1928.
Later recordings include:
Arrangement
The violinist Jascha Heifetz arranged the Romanza for violin and piano.