Page:The music of Bohemia.djvu/46

 String quartet, op. 96, and his most beautiful as well as his last vocal opus, the cycle of The Biblical Songs, op. 99.

Whoever wishes to have a clear idea of Dvořák's genius must study and hear the wonderful symphonic poems from the last period of the composer's life. Here Dvořák, master of classical and absolute music, pays his tribute to the modern form of romantic program music with great success. As a composer of piano music, Dvořák could not subdue his eminent orchestral genius to clavier technique; his piano compositions call for instrumentation. The seventh number from opus 101 has become an extraordinary favorite in America; it is the celebrated Humoreske.

Of his seven operas the most beautiful is Russalka, which exhibits the best qualities of the author's creative ability. It may be said, however, that all Dvořák's operas are handicapped by a lack of conciseness. They cannot be compared favorably with Smetana's works in dramatic feeling. The interesting remark