...One of the most beautiful Symphonies, IMHO...
...Dvorak had visited the U.S, and was so moved by what he saw, that he composed this Symphony, and named it the "New World Symphony."
He saw the U.S. as starting a very creative and vibrant culture, and this work expresses what he experienced and felt. I have performed in Orchestras that played this, I think about ten times, and I always LOVED being handed the music for it. *S* I was Principal cello a few times, and got to play the very poignant solo with the Concertmaster, (Or Concertmistress), at the end of the second movement. (("Going Home")) I would tear up as we approached it, and then...I would growl in my mind..."Suck it up, Cupcake, just play the notes!
) I always followed the Concertmistress...we had both memorized our parts...and I would look at her...she would look at me...and she would give me gentle cues with her violin, and her eyes, to make sure that we blended well. *S* That duet is not played 'in tempo', it is a 'cadenza', so we would take our time, and make it sound how we were feeling at the time.
...The first time I played it, I was sitting 3rd chair in the Youth Orchestra...and was NOT a HAPPY CAMPER!!! I knew that I played better than the 2nd chair, and believed that I played better than the 1st chair...but the Conductor didn't seem to like me. (*Shrugs* I have NO IDEA of why...I was a 'Good Girl' in H.S. Except that I had little respect for Authority...and would challenge my teachers. I would argue with him over bowings...and he was a CELLIST!!!) I once got kicked out of a History Class, the book that we were studying didn't really report the Battle of Midway very well. I was an avid reader of War History Books, and had a big book that described the Battle in detail. I kept telling the teacher that the textbook was all wrong, and brought in several books, and tried to take over the class, so I could teach them the true history. I got sent to the Principal, and he gave me a bucket, and told me to go out into the field, and fill it with rocks.
I was sweating VERY hard when I finished. But, I now saw how 'Educators' operated, and just regurgetated what I was fed, and did my own studies on subjects that interested me
and DID NOT try to share what I was learning. *G* In grammer school, I was reading way ahead of my grade level, my parents had taught me to read at a very young age, and I LOVED to read. I was not a 'popular' kid, and spent most of my childhood alone, reading, playing music, and watching cartoons. I would often get beat up, in grammer school, and I just didn't trust anyone.
...But, the bullying stopped in Jr H.S. I was with different people, and they liked me, so I relaxed. But, at home, the 'bullies' still stalked me. One afternoon, I did, finally, put a stop to it. I had been 'coping' with it by just letting them push me around, and I would run home. One afternoon, a couple guys joined, and I couldn't get out of their circle. My mind changed...I wasn't scared, anymore...I was ANGRY!!! Again, I was small, and slender, but I had good balance. I waited until the big guy bully came up to me, and I shifted my weight, and punched him in his face with my right hand!!!! (I guess that I already knew the 'soft hand') He fell down, and just laid there. Some parents came out, and pushed me away from him...I was waiting for him to sit up...so I could kick, or punch him, again. The told me to go home, and I did.
...Nice thing, they didn't bully me anymore. Once, a small group came up to me, and I just told them. "OK, you outnumber me, you will probably beat me. But...I will remember who all of you are, and I will catch you when you are alone...and you will be lucky if you wake up." They walked away...
...Our neighborhood was much calmer after I let loose. We played the usual games, and there was no bullying. When I got to H.S., I just didn't interact with any of them very much. I made new friends, outside of the neighborhood, and would ride my 10-speed to visit with them.
...DAMN!!! I got totally sidetracked...
Here is the Symphony...
...
https://youtu.be/O_tPb4JFgmw