Carnival Overture (Dvořák)

The concert overture Carnival (), Op. 92, B. 169, was written by Antonín Dvořák in 1891. It is part of a "Nature, Life and Love" trilogy of overtures, forming the second part, "Life". The other two parts are In Nature's Realm, Op. 91 ("Nature") and Othello, Op. 93 ("Love").

The overture, in A major, is scored for two flutes, piccolo, two oboes, English horn, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, tuba, timpani, triangle, cymbals, tambourine, harp and strings. Its duration is approximately ten minutes.

Performance history

Notable performances of Dvořák's Carnival.

• Prague, Austria-Hungary: 28 April 1892, conducted by Dvořák himself, at Rudolfinum.
• Vienna, Austria-Hungary: 4 February 1895, conducted by Dvořák himself

Discography

• the Hallé 150th anniversary, The Hallé, Hamilton Harty, recorded 30 April 1927, remastering BBC music CD (2007)
• ', Boston Symphony Orchestra, Seiji Ozawa, Sony CD (1994) and Kultur DVD (2007)