The audience at New York’s Carnegie Hall were swept off their feet at the premiere of Antonin Dvoráks 9th symphony, "New World". At last, the United States had its own “National-Symphony”. Or was this just a misbelief? After all, Dvorak originated from Boehmia.
Outside of Carnegie Hall, the sounds of New York in 1883 were quite differently. A wild mix of songs from the Irish, Italian or Russian immigrants. In addition, one could hear African sounds.
Some of the white elite were determined to sort of import a specific, American style of music modeled on the European example. Amongst them the committed and ultra-rich art lover Jeanette Thurber. Without further ado, she wrote to Dvorak and invited him to New York, as he was one of the most famous composers of that time. He was meant to become a professor for music and above all, develop an American national style in music.
Dvorak had no such desire. Too long was the journey. Much too complicated. Until he was offered a salary 25 times higher than his earnings so far. America - here I come!
Well, how to continue? What exactly WAS the music of the United States? Dvorak watched Buffalo-Bill shows, a corny copy of the Wild West with dances and rhythms of the indigenous inhabitants. He had an important scholar - Henry T. Burleigh - by the way his only black student, who introduced him to negro-spirituals and other music of African immigrants and former slaves. According to Dvorak, these were essential inspirations, which finally influenced the 9th symphony.
For example at the beginning of the second movement of the famous English horn solo: the theme is pentatonic, the leading notes are missing. Nowadays hardly no pop or rock song can do without pentatonic elements. It is one of the oldest proven sound systems that was already used by the Indians. Dvorak never intended to imitate the indigenous music for his 9th, he rather translated it into his very own musical language. Therefore, some parts do sound like Bohemian folk music, like this theme in the first movement.
The symphony "New World" was a huge success in the USA, shortly later worldwide. Up until now, regularly attempts have been made to musically match the 9th to a nation. The Czechs tried as well: in Prague a sweet, little alley is called “Nový Svět, "New World". Some people believe that Dvorak, who was always homesick in the USA, was the inspiration for the nickname of this street.
A national match does not make sense for me, it just does not work. What is certain is that the 9th is audibly very different to the other symphonies of Dvorak and it had a lasting impact on American composers like Gershwin or Bernstein. In addition, of course, on film music.
Presenter: Maximilian Maier
Producer: Michael Wende (wendevarga.wixsite.com/wendevarga)
Orchestra: Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Conductor: Mariss Jansons
© Bayerischer Rundfunk
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"klassik shorts", presented by Maximilian Maier, is a three-minute video format that makes you want to listen to great symphonic works and presents information such as Fun Facts in an entertaining way.
Director Michael Wende supports this pointed style of explaining classical music with video excerpts of central moments of the respective work, but primarily with his unique graphic representations and sound effects.
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9 фев 2019
