articles / Dvorak

Dvořák and What It Means to Be an American Composer

Composer Antonín Dvořák

Hit play below to listen to our Arts Alive feature on Salastina Music Society and Tonality’s upcoming performances.
 
 

Dvořák and What It Means to Be an American Composer

 
 
As Election Day comes and goes, Arts Alive is asking the question: what does it mean to be an American composer? In the 1890s, when composers in the United States were searching for a unique “American Sound” in their music, they turned to Antonin Dvořák…from Bohemia. Dvořák came to the U.S., met up with composer Harry T. Burleigh—the grandson of former slaves, who was writing art songs and spirituals. Together, Burleigh and Dvořák came to the conclusion that American composers didn’t need Dvořák to find an American sound in classical music—the American sound was already there.

Dvořák said, “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.”

Still, Dvořák provided a couple of examples of what he meant: the New World Symphony and the American String Quartet are among them. This weekend, the Salastina Music Society explores in greater detail just what Dvořák was talking about, in a performance that Salastina co-artistic director Maia Jasper White says will highlight music by composers who exemplify Dvořák’s aesthetic wish for American music. Maia says it’s part of concert format called Sounds Unknown, which focuses on lesser-heard composers and investigates some the reasons why their music may not be familiar.

Salastina Music Society performing alongside host Brian Lauritzen | Photo by Shaun Frederickson

“Any classical concert is, hopefully, going to inspire people to feel swept away by the beauty, craft, and inspiration of all these artists. It’s one thing to feel that way when you’re going to hear Brahms and you know this is a titan whose bust is in a million places. But when you are confronted with dozens and dozens of people who you never even knew existed, that just adds a whole other dimension to your appreciation for the scope of creativity—zooming out and seeing with fresh eyes just how much good stuff there is out there.”

This weekend’s Salastina Music Society concerts mark a first for the nine-year-old chamber music organization: they will collaborate with the LA-based choral ensemble Tonality for a performance of Caroline Shaw’s powerful and poignant piece about displacement, home, turmoil, and comfort called To the Hands. Tonality music director Alex Blake says it’s an incredibly moving work and, in this election season, it’s a call to action for individuals to be involved in making the world a better place for everyone in it.

“Not waiting for the people at the top to be the moral compass for how we act in our lives with the people around us. You can be refuge, you can be home, you can be comfort, you can be safety.”

The choir Tonality is collaborating with the Salastina Music Society for a program, presented by Salastina, entitled The Sound of America. Saturday night at 8:00 at the Pasadena Conservatory and Sunday afternoon at 3:00 at The East Wing at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica. It’s part of Salastina’s Sounds Unknown series and was curated and will be hosted by KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen. Find out more at salastina.org.

Written by:
Brian Lauritzen
Brian Lauritzen
Published on 04.01.2019

MORE LIKE THIS

Mexican Wrestling and Classical Music: An Ideal MIX for a Fast-Rising USC Composer

Mexican Wrestling and Classical Music: An Ideal MIX for a Fast-Rising USC Composer

The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's staging of Juan Pablo Contreras's piece, Lucha Libre!, a blend of symphony and Mexican wrestling, has been postponed. Updates on rescheduling will be on LACO's website.

Pop Culture
03/16/2020
Anna Bulbrook on Switching from Violin to Viola, Improvising, and “SILENCE”

Anna Bulbrook on Switching from Violin to Viola, Improvising, and “SILENCE”

"Anna Bulbrook discusses SILENCE, a unique music and performance event at Descanso Gardens, her switch from violin to viola, and more. Next shows on Sept 21st and 28th."

Pop Culture
09/21/2019
What Happens When You Mix Beethoven and Kanye West?

What Happens When You Mix Beethoven and Kanye West?

"Yeethoven II, a unique concert blending Beethoven's classical music with Kanye West's hip-hop, is set to premiere on December 14. The project is led by composer Johan and conductor Yuga Cohler."

Pop Culture
12/12/2017
Film Composer Clint Mansell: from Aronofsky to Van Gogh

Film Composer Clint Mansell: from Aronofsky to Van Gogh

Explore the unconventional journey of British film composer Clint Mansell, known for his work on 'Requiem for a Dream', 'Black Swan', and 'Loving Vincent'. Listen to his interviews here.

Pop Culture
10/01/2018
A KUSC Tribute to Composer Steven Stucky

A KUSC Tribute to Composer Steven Stucky

This article pays tribute to the late composer Steven Stucky, highlighting his brilliance, modesty, and significant contributions to American music, including his long association with the LA Philharmonic.

Pop Culture
08/23/2016
What If, Instead of Playing an Instrument, You Wore Your Instrument?

What If, Instead of Playing an Instrument, You Wore Your Instrument?

Claire Chase and Pauchi Sasaki perform in Speaker Dresses, self-contained audio systems with over 100 speakers, at LA Phil Green Umbrella concert.

Pop Culture
10/01/2018