Scherzo capriccioso, Op.66

When Dvorak Scherzo capriccioso was first performed in Prague shortly after its composition in 1883 it was the last word in works of its kind. It probably still is. Certainly, no orchestral scherzo has more going for it than this one - a vigorously brilliant main theme that melts into a voluptuous waltz, an appealingly modest trio section which is just long enough to offset the activity round it but too short to hold it up, and the most vividaly colourful orchestration. But that is not all. It is also a structural masterpiece so firmly held together by the opening horn call that Dvorak could safely expand it well beyond the confines of the average scherzo to include not only a resourceful development but also a coda which is as poetic as it is exhilarating.