The Water Goblin (Czech: Vodník; initially published by N. Simrock with the English title The Water-Fay) is a symphonic poem, Op.
The source of inspiration for The Water Goblin was a poem found in a collection published by Karel Jaromír Erben under the title Kytice.
Vodník tells a story in four parts of a mischievous water goblin who traps drowning souls in upturned teacups.
[4] The next section Dvořák changes from the minor to B major to indicate the persistent state of mind of the daughter when she heads off to the lake.
This section ends with a ritardando (slow down), so the listener is prepared for a sudden fast and short swirl in the violins when the bridge cracks.
[8] The Water Goblin is scored for piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, cor anglais, 2 clarinets (one doubling bass clarinet), 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba (with optional 2nd tuba part), timpani, bass drum, cymbals, triangle, tam-tam, tubular bells, and strings.