Thanksgiving & the New World

Thanksgiving & the New World

HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY! This year I am thankful that BORDER CROSSINGS: Coming of Age in the Czech Resistance has been published. Thank you, EVERYONE who has supported Charles and me along the way! As we observe our American holiday for giving thanks, consider 1620, with the Plymouth colonists and Native Americans sharing an autumn harvest. What kind of music did they play or sing at this celebration? Psalms in close harmony? A Shawnee stomp dance?

What kind of music will be played or sung today? Today, I select one of the most inspired orchestral works about America: Czech composer Antonin Dvorak’s New World Symphony. Dvorak sought to capture the American sound by turning to its folk music – the music of Native Americans and African-Americans. It was in Charles’ mind as he traveled to America. It’s on my mind today. I will listen to it as I remember and thank and you can, too. Enjoy the City of Prague Philharmonic perform the fourth movement on YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Qi6njHq5D0f.

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