Tune in Today: Exploring Bohemia in Dvorak’s ‘Dumky Trio’

The Bohemian composer relied on Ukrainian folk songs to compose this evocation of his homeland.

"Jarema's Dumka," 1879, a painting by Stanislaw Maslowski in the National Museum in Warsaw. Antonin Dvorak produced the nonstandard "Dumky Trio" to highlight the country life he grew up in. Public Domain

Wistful bells toll as chords from the piano ring. When they fade, a choir of strings blooms into the receding space, warm tones wreathing the piano in rays of sunlight. Close your eyes, listen. The piano sings a delicate melody, evoking a memory of the verdant countryside. (Listen)

This, at 10:51, is the third movement, “Andante,” from Dvorak’s Piano Trio No. 4, Op. 90, performed by pianist Jeff Manookian, violinist Laura Bossert, and cellist Terry King.