Part of the Power of Dvorak's New World Symphony Comes from Its American Influences

One of my early memories about Ludwig van Beethoven was how he would walk the countryside and listen to the folk songs and music of villagers as a source of inspiration for musical themes in his classical works. He was no doubt not the first to do thus. Nor was he the last, for this was something Hungarian-born composer Antonin Dvorak (Dvor-zhak) did as well, decades later. 

It should come as no surprise, then, that when this internationally renowned musician came to the United States for a three-year residency as director of the National Conservatory of Music (1892-1895) he would discover new sources of inspiration here in the "new world." Two of the new world sources that he drew upon were Native American and African American impressions that he'd not encountered previous to coming to America. Both have been cited as contributors to his 9th Symphony.

According to an article by Patrick Neas in the Kansas City Star, "Anytime classical fans are polled about their favorite works, Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 'From the New World' is always near the top of the list. With gorgeous themes that sound both Bohemian and American, the Symphony No. 9 captures the best of the old and the new world. And this beloved classical masterpiece received its finishing touches in a small town 400 miles north of Kansas City."

When I read that Dvorak was the director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York City I wondered how he connected with Native American music. As it turns out, there was a community of Czech immigrants in Spillville, Iowa (population at that time approximately 350, as it is today) that he crossed the Midwest to visit in the summer of 1893.

The KC Star article notes that  "It was on the plains of the Midwest that Dvorak came into contact with Native American music and African-American spirituals. Dvorak absorbed this authentic American folk music and incorporated it into his 'New World' symphony, which was first performed by the New York Philharmonic in Carnegie Hall on Dec. 16, 1893."

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Influences

Yesterday I wrote about my own early introduction to classical music, and my parents' early experiences at Cleveland Symphony Hall.  It's fascinating how so much of who we are has been shaped by influences. David Pichaske's book Song of the North Country goes into great detail showing how Bob Dylan's Northern Minnesota roots shaped his outlook and defined much of his music. So it comes as no surprise that Dvorak's music contains a multitude of influences from his life in Eastern Europe. My father had an album of his "Slavonic Dances". It would not surprise me to learn that my father's appreciation for Dvorak came in part from Cleveland Orchestra conductor George Szell who was himself from Hungary.

This is why it should not surprise us to find Dvorak still listening for new sources of inspiration during his three years in the U.S.  Is it possible his use of the timpani (kettledrums) in the New World Symphony was inspired by hearing the Native drums while in Iowa? 

Opening horn solo introducing theme for 2nd movement. If you 
read music then you it will no doubt be familiar to you.

Music critic Michael Beckerman wrote that the Second and Third Movements were based on Longfellow's The Song of Hiawatha. These were purportedly ideas in "sketch form" that were studies for a longer work. The third movement was inspired by the scene in which the Indians dance. It is most likely that Dvorak attended at least one Powwow while in Iowa. Dvorak expressly stated that the music in this symphony would never have been created had he not been to this country.

Here's an amazing statement from Dvorak. According to contemporary journalist Peter Guttman, the composer presciently observed, "I am convinced that the future music of this country must be founded on what are called Negro melodies. These can be the foundation of a serious and original school of composition, to be developed in the United States. These beautiful and varied themes are the product of the soil. They are the folk songs of America and your composers must turn to them."

Isn't that what the 10 episodes of Ken Burns' PBS documentary series Jazz was saying? Of this, much more can be said. 

Here is the exquisite second movement of Dvorak's wonderful symphony.

Trivia: Neil Armstrong brought a recording of The New World Symphony 
to the moon to play during mankind's first landing there.

Related Links

Classical Notes on Dvorak's "New World" Symphony
Ukraine national orchestra to showcase Verdi and Dvorak at Helzberg Hall