“Dvorák’s ‘New World’ Symphony holds an important place in American music,” writes Allan Kozinn in Monday’s (11/3) New York Times. “Dvorák composed it during his residency in this country…. The New York Philharmonic gave the work its premiere in 1893, but when Dvorák returned to Prague in 1895, he took the manuscript of the symphony with him. It has remained in Prague ever since, and is currently in the collection of the Czech National Museum. But it is returning to New York, briefly, for the first time…. The Czech government is lending the manuscript to the Czech Center New York, which will put it on display at the Bohemian National Hall, along with the performing parts used at the premiere, on loan from the New York Philharmonic, from Nov. 17 to 21. (The day before the exhibition opens, the Czech Philharmonic, conducted by Jiri Belohlavek, will perform [the work] at Carnegie Hall.) The Czech Center and the Dvorák American Heritage Association are also presenting several lectures.… Barbara Haws, the New York Philharmonic’s archivist, and Majda Kallab Whitaker, a cultural historian, will discuss Dvorák’s visit to New York and the symphony’s premiere, with performances by the ArtsAhimsa String Quartet (Nov. 19).”
Posted November 5, 2014
