ODJINUD

Dvořák in America

11. 4. 2010

Joseph Horowitz has written eight books, including "Dvořák and America," chronicling the composer's period in America. Horowitz is conducting a summer institute through the American National Endowment for the Humanities for 25 middle and high school American teachers, sponsored by the Pittsburg Symphony and held on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh.

He calls the institute: "Dvorak in America: In Search of the New World," and he has enlisted leading scholars and educators from around the country who are experts in America culture to serve as faculty: Robert Winter, UCLA music professor; Tim Barringer, Paul Mellon Professor of the History of Art at Yale University; Michael Beckerman, Professor of Music at NYU; Dale Cockrell, Professor of Music in the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University; Harry Dawe, Independent School educator; Steven Mayer, pianist; Jean Snyder, Professor of Music at Edinboro University; and Mariana Whitmer, who teaches in the University of Pittsburgh Music Department.

Czech composer of the Romantic period, Antonin Leopold Dvořák (1841-1904), lived in America from 1892 to 1895, where he served as director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York City, at the request of wealthy philanthropist, Jeannette Thurber.

His objective was to "discover" American music. Dvořák was fascinated by Buffalo Bill, the slave trade, the plantation songs, Longfellow's "The Song of Hiawatha," blackface minstrels, Duke Ellington, Marian Anderson and the creations of Stephen Foster.

He loved the Indian dances, the American folk music and the songs. He was fascinated with the variety of landscapes and populations. In Iowa he relished what writer Willa Cather called "the sadness of all flat lands."

Dvořák then composed his "New World Symphony" inspired by America's wide-ranging culture - "an intended catalyst for an 'American School' of composition." The symphony electrified New York audiences when was first performed. Horowitz wants young Americans to consider the idea that "great music" is not limited to a "pantheon of dead Europeans."

Thus, with missionary-like zeal, he spreads the magic and magnitude of Dvořák's American landscape.

"This program offers a singular opportunity to infuse the arts and humanities into social studies, art, English and music instruction in the classroom," Horowitz said.

More about this program can be learned from JJ Abernathy at jjabernathy@myway.com.

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