
Dvorak and His World
Michael Beckerman(Editor)
Princeton University Press
Published on 12. September 1993
Book
Paperback/Softback
296 pages
978-0-691-00097-8 (ISBN)
Description
Antonin Dvorak made his famous trip to the United States one hundred years ago, but despite an enormous amount of attention from scholars and critics since that time, he remains an elusive figure. Comprising both interpretive essays and a selection of fascinating documents that bear on Dvorak's career and music, this volume addresses fundamental questions about the composer while presenting an argument for a radical reappraisal. The essays, which make up the first part of the book, begin with Leon Botstein's inquiry into the reception of Dvorak's work in German-speaking Europe, in England, and in America. Commenting on the relationship between Dvorak and Brahms, David Beveridge offers the first detailed portrait of perhaps the most interesting artistic friendship of the era. Joseph Horowitz explores the context in which the "New World" Symphony was premiered a century ago, offering an absorbing account of New York musical life at that time. In discussing Dvorak as a composer of operas, Jan Smaczny provides an unexpected slant on the widely held view of him as a "nationalist" composer.
Michael Beckerman further investigates this view of Dvorak by raising the question of the role nationalism played in music of the nineteenth century. The second part of this volume presents Dvorak's correspondence and reminiscences as well as unpublished reviews and criticism from the Czech press. It includes a series of documents from the composer's American years, a translation of the review of Rusalka's premiere with the photographs that accompanied the article, and Janacek's analyses of the symphonic poems. Many of these documents are published in English for the first time.
Michael Beckerman further investigates this view of Dvorak by raising the question of the role nationalism played in music of the nineteenth century. The second part of this volume presents Dvorak's correspondence and reminiscences as well as unpublished reviews and criticism from the Czech press. It includes a series of documents from the composer's American years, a translation of the review of Rusalka's premiere with the photographs that accompanied the article, and Janacek's analyses of the symphonic poems. Many of these documents are published in English for the first time.
Reviews / Votes
"The image of the composer Antonin Dvorak as a Czech visionary who ventured into the exotic cultural habitat of nineteenth century America is brilliantly portrayed... The five critical essays which make up the first part of the book create a multifaceted portrait of the composer within the musical vanguard of Prague and New York."--Slavic ReviewMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New Jersey
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
12 halftones 61 music exs.
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
484 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-691-00097-8 (9780691000978)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Michael Beckerman
Dvorák and His World
E-Book
01/2012
1st Edition
Princeton University Press
€181.95
Available for download
Person
Michael Beckerman is Associate Professor of Music at Washington University in St. Louis.
Content
AcknowledgmentsIntroduction: Looking for Dvorak in December 19923Reversing the Critical Tradition: Innovation, Modernity, and Ideology in the Work and Career of Antonin Dvorak11Dvorak and Brahms: A Chronicle, an Interpretation56Dvorak and the New World: A Concentrated Moment92Dvorak: The Operas104The Master's Little Joke: Antonin Dvorak and the Mask of Nation134Reviews and Criticism from Dvorak's American Years: Articles by Henry Krehbiel, James Huneker, H. L. Mencken, and James Creelman157Letters from Dvorak's American Period: A Selection of Unpublished Correspondence Received by Dvorak in the United States192Antonin Dvorak: A Biographical Sketch211Dvorak in the Czech Press: Unpublished Reviews and Criticism230A Discussion of Two Tone Poems Based on Texts by Karel Jaromir Erben: The Wood Dove and The Golden Spinning Wheel262Index of Names and Compositions277List of Contributors283