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In the New World

Donald Macleod focuses on Dvorak's years spent in the United States. Including Rondo in G minor, Te Deum (excerpts) and Goin' Home.

Donald Macleod continues his exploration of the life and work of Antonin Dvorák, today focusing on the composer's years in the United States.

It was the 400th anniversary of Columbus's arrival which first drew Dvorák to the United States. Initially commissioned to compose a work celebrating the anniversary. She subsequently invited Dvorák to take up the post of Director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York - an institution she had founded, along with the American Opera Company, as a means towards her visionary ends of bringing into being a national American school of composition. She wanted to free American music from its possessive European parents. She'd chosen Dvorák because she'd seen how he'd established his own reputation as a composer in a distinct, nationalistic style. Up to this time, American composers had gone to Europe to study. Mrs Thurber aimed to make all that cross-Atlantic travel unnecessary.

Rondo in G minor
Paul Tortelier (cello)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Yan Pascal Tortelier

Te Deum
i. Te deum laudamus
ii. Tu rex gloriae, Christae
iii. Aeterna fac cum Sanctis tuis Gloria numerate
Marina Mesheriakova (soprano), Sergei Miasnikov (bass)
Russian State Symphonic Capella
Russian State Symphony Orchestra / Valery Polyansky

Goin' Home
Paul Robeson

Sonatina for cello and piano
i. Allegro risoluto
Maria Kliegel (cello), Nina Tichman (piano)

Biblical songs Nos 3 & 4
The Lord is My Shepherd
O sing unto the Lord
Brian Raynor Cook (baritone)
Scottish National Orchestra / Neeme Jarvi

String Quartet No.12 in F major
i. Allegro ma non troppo
Vlach Quartet.

1 hour

Music Played

  • Antonín Dvořák

    Rondo In G Minor Op.94,

    Performer: Paul Tortelier. Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: André Previn.
    • EMI CLASSICS : CDM 769-504-2.
    • EMI CLASSICS.
    • 7.
  • Antonín Dvořák

    Te Deum Op.103

    Singer: Marina Mescheriakova. Choir: State Symphony Capella of Russia. Orchestra: Russian State S O. Conductor: Valery Kuzmich Polyansky.
    • CHANDOS : chan-9505.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 7.
  • Antonín Dvořák

    Sonatina In G Major Op.100

    Performer: Maria Kliegel. Performer: Nina Tichman.
    • NAXOS / 8.557613.
    • NAXOS.
    • 7.
  • Antonín Dvořák

    10 Biblical Songs B.189, Extract

    Singer: Brian Rayner Cook. Orchestra: Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Conductor: Neeme Järvi.
    • CHANDOS : CHAN-9002.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 6.
  • Antonín Dvořák

    Quartet No. 12 In F Major Op.96 (American)

    Ensemble: Vlach Quartet.
    • NAXOS : 8.-553371.
    • NAXOS.
    • 1.

Broadcasts

  • Thu 28 Jan 2016 12:00
  • Thu 28 Jan 2016 18:30

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