Description
Dvořák had previously written solo music for cellist Hanus Wihan, who would later become the dedicatee of his cello concerto. In 1892, Dvořák was planning a trio concert tour with Wihan and violinist Ferdinand Lachner. Needing additional works for cello and piano, he reworked his "Silent Woods" piece during the 1891 Christmas holidays. Originally a four-hand piano work from his "From the Bohemian Forest" cycle, the cantabile character piece became a popular recital item due to its rich cello sound. Dvořák later arranged "Silent Woods" as an effective concert piece for cello and orchestra. The 1894 first edition serves as the basis for editor and Dvořák specialist Milan Pospíšil's Urtext edition for cello and piano.
