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Jamie   01/5/2004	Subject: Off topic: In Memoriam Antonin Dvorák Message: Antonin Dvorák died 100 years ago today in Prague. Even he is neglected (relatively speaking). Where are the Dvorák festivals to commemorate his music? How often are symphonies 1-6 performed? What about the symphonic poems, overtures other than the ubiquitous Carnaval, choral works, or operas? On 9/8/1991, the 150th anniversary of his birth, nary a mention was to be found in the NY Times. Shortly thereafter, despite stiff opposition from the local and musical communities, the house in which he lived while residing in Manhattan (327 East 17th Street) was torn down. This is the spot where the "New World" symphony was composed, and should have been considered a sacred shrine.
Mark   01/5/2004	RE: Off topic: In Memoriam Antonin Dvorák IP: Logged Message: Yesterday afternoon, as an anniversary tribute, BBC Radio 4 (which is their talk station, not their classical music station) aired a 45 minute playlet about his time in the US, covering (very briefly of course) his time in NYC and at Spillville, Iowa. It majored on his insistence that spirituals should be the basis of an "American" music, and painted a very warm and affectionate portrait of him. Until next Friday, the play can be heard online by going to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/afternoonplay.shtml In the boxout on the left "LISTEN TO THE LATEST PROGRAMME" click "Listen to Friday". It doesn't contain any startling revelations - particularly if you've read the recent book about Dvorák's time in the US and the compositions which he wrote there. This years Proms concert series (again, a BBC run event) features Dvorák (and Janacek) heavily - Dvorák's last four symphonies from Haintink, for example. Not the earlier ones of course. Dvorák has always been especially loved here and I think that his anniversery is getting proper, if not extravagent, recognition in the UK. Cheers
Jamie   02/5/2004	RE: Off topic: In Memoriam Antonin Dvorák IP: Logged Message: Mark, I enjoyed the playlet, thanks for the link. The actor who played Dvorák, Henry Goodman, played Max Bialystock in the Broadway production of The Producers for a brief period before getting ignominiously fired after attendance levels dropped. Dvorák wrote several of his greatest works for England, where he was lionized. These include the 7th symphony, The Spectre's Bride (bowdlerized by the English translator Dr. Troutbeck for Victorian audiences--the original Czech title was "Svatebni kosile" which literally means "the wedding shift"), St. Ludmila, and the Requiem. I could find no recognition of the event in this country despite the composition of some of Dvorák's most popular works here (i.e., the "New World" symphony, the "American" quartet, the 2nd string quintet, the American Suite, the violin Sonatina, the Humoresques, and best of all, most of the cello concerto).
Jamie   02/5/2004	RE: Off topic: In Memoriam Antonin Dvorák IP: Logged Message: The Metropolitan Opera revived Rusalka Friday night, perhaps in observance of the centenary of Dvorák's death--here's a review: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/arts/AP-Music-Rusalka.html Note that this is a review by an unnamed correspondent from the Associated Press. The New York Times would not deign to publish a review, nor did they do so when the production premiered in 1991.
peter conole   05/5/2004	RE: Off topic: In Memoriam Antonin Dvorák IP: Logged Message: Jamie, it is pretty surprising to hear of the stony silence re Dvorak in the US. Even in this part of the world the centenary of his death attracted a tiny bit of press coverage. And there is a concert on May 7 - featuring the 'New World symphony' as a centre piece, flanked by Barber's violin concerto and a work by Copland. More attention may be given as the year rolls on. I understand some chamber groups are also honouring Dvorak. The dark side is that out town's major symphony orchestra did not do its homework. Dvorak is absent from progamme. It seems some lobbying has started. regards Peter
John Boyer   05/5/2004	RE: Off topic: In Memoriam Antonin Dvorák IP: Logged Message: Jamie, You'll be happy to know that the NY Times' chief music critic, Anthony Tommasini, has written (and signed) a review of the production: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/03/arts/music/03RUSA.html
Jamie   05/5/2004	RE: Off topic: In Memoriam Antonin Dvorák IP: Logged Message: John, thanks for the link, though I came across it on my own on Monday. The NYT's reviewing choices are questionable, in my opinion. On 3/11/94, I saw Leon Botstein conduct the American Symphony Orchestra in a program of music by German composers who were inspired by Italy. The only reason I attended that concert was because Raff's Italian Suite was to be played and I was very eager to read the NYT review the following day. Of course, it never appeared (while at the same time, there was plenty of room for articles about "rap music", which is an oxymoron if I ever heard one). To date, this is the only time I have ever heard Raff's music in a live performance.
Jack Kelso   06/5/2004	RE: Off topic: In Memoriam Antonin Dvorák IP: Logged Message: Here in Germany, Dvorak received lots of broadcasts---three hour-long t.v. broadcasts, biographical documentaries with music, performances of his 9th Symphony, "Stabat Mater", 'Cello Concerto, "Die Waldtaube" (Wood Dove) and other specials. Also, the classical radio programming devoted many hours to this master's works. I must say it was very satisfying and not at all overdone. Jack