I appreciated most of all the ability of Tchaikovsky to imbue the piece with mood and emotional power. Even if the "Meditation" is a slow piece that languishes at times, it is one that aptly reflects the mood the composer intended. Moreover, the performers executed the composition with aplomb. Dvorak's "String Quintet in G Major, Op. 77" is in many ways easier to listen to than Tchaikovsky's "Meditation." The latter feels emotionally painful, whereas Dvorak's seems more like a fun folk dance. Repeating riffs and familiar sonic elements that continue throughout the five movements anchor the listener with hooks, and some of the musical elements are reminiscent of modern music. For example, the liberal use of plucked string instruments in the fifth movement reminds me of those elements in rock music even though the context is different. Similarly, the use of riffs and other repeating elements is reminiscent of rock and pop. Dvorak's "String Quintet in G Major, Op. 77" is therefore relatively easy on modern ears. Both the plucked instruments and the use of riffs throughout make Dvorak's "String Quintet in G Major, Op. 77" a pleasurable listening expeirence.

The narrator of the podcast calls the use of double bass "curious" but it would be hard to imagine the piece without it. Because of the steady bass elements throughout the string quintet, the piece...

Throughout much of the piece, Dvorak imparts a distinct Eastern European feel, incorporating unequivocal elements of folk music including the scales but also the rhythms. However, the last of the five movements hearkens more to the classical music tradition from which Dvorak draws. As the narrator of the podcast notes, Dvorak borrows from Mozart and Hayden while remaining true to his Bohemian roots.
One of the most pleasurable aspects of "String Quintet in G Major, Op. 77" is its versatility, diversity, and changeability. The piece shifts dynamically, offering a rich and varied listening experience. The first movement is the most Eastern European in tone, with folk music elements boldly asserted. The beginning fifth is movement is in contrast much slower than other parts of the piece, In some ways, the shift in dynamics seems to offer resolution but then the piece picks up again. The dynamics are as romantic as Tchaikovsky's but more cheerful in tone. Both composers embody the Romantic tradition of Western classical music, which is why the two pieces work together seamlessly in the Isabella Gardner Museum podcast.

Works Cited

"Recycling Tchaikovsky and Dvorak." Podcast No. 95 in Concert No. 90. Isabella Gardner Museum. Retrieved June 6, 2010 from http://www.gardnermuseum.org/music/podcast/concert4.asp