The Ninth Symphony of Antonin Dvorak

Presenters

Andrew E. Symington, Cedarville University

Type of Submission

Podium Presentation

Campus Venue

Dixon Ministry Center, Room 162

Location

Cedarville, OH

Start Date

4-10-2013 3:20 PM

End Date

4-10-2013 3:40 PM

Comments

Abstract:

When Antonin Dvorak's Ninth Symphony premiered in Carnegie Hall in New York City on December 16, 1893, it was enthusiastically received. That reception has occurred many times since then in many other concert halls and cities around the world. Dvorak composed it during his time in New York while teaching at the National Conservatory. His aim was to implement African-American and Native American folk-song melodies into the symphony In an attempt to demonstrate to young American composers how they might Incorporate the rich musical material contained therein Into their classical compositions, thus creating a distinctly American nationalistic music. The purpose of this essay is to analyze the Ninth Symphony and synthesize the recent scholarly study which has been done on the work in order to obtain a deeper understanding of its component parts and the factors which influenced tile composer regarding sources, techniques, motivations, skills, etc. Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", is a product of Dvorak's desire to promote nationalism in classical music, his Czech musical heritage, and the influence of Brahms and other symphonists, and the influence of African-American and Native American folk music. This essay will discuss each of these four factors and their subtopics since they seem as though they were the most Influential in Dvorak's composition of his ninth symphony. Subtopics Include Dvorak's exposure to Czech folk songs as a child and his fascination with African-American melodies, which he discovered early on during the years when he lived in America. The goal of researching specific aspects of Dvorak's life is to illuminate the specific ways in which each is evident in the Ninth Symphony.

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