During Dvorak's illness, famed violinist Fritz Kreisler came to visit his friend, and asked him, “Anton, do you have any works that you have not yet released to the world?” Barely able to speak, the composer directed Kreisler to “a box over there.”
I lived in Prague for a few years in the early 1990s and occasionally strolled by the “Villa Amerika” that houses the Dvorak Museum. It has no connection to him otherwise—he never lived in it—but it is a charming building in a most picturesque setting. I first came across it in early Spring and that is how I always think of it. Czechs were insistent that we Americans attend performances of his New World Symphony and most of us happily did. It was easy enough to find his music being performed somewhere in town, especially during the Prague Spring season.
Thanks for the Dvorak and fine commentary. He is a favorite and those 'American' inspired pieces are absolutely wonderful. I wonder if you've read "Spillville" by Patricia Hampl which is an essay about Dvorak's summer in Iowa? Great reading, her language is exemplary, and Dvorak, a bit peculiar and oh so interesting!
I wonder if you have ever heard of the famous and unlikely songwriting team, consisting of the founder and president of the Dixie Cup Company, Hugh Everett Moore, and the other, the famous Hindu religious teacher and step-brother of 80's talk show host Joan Rivers. Both of them, being of high social standing, the pair were most often referred to with their honorary titles and known as "Hugh Moore, esq, and Swami Rivers"
A composition intended to evoke good humor... I think it succeeded, or maybe I'm just in a good mood this morning, and the piece complements my mood well. Either way, it was a pleasant addition to my day. Thanks!
You’ve outdone yourself. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed all three of them, sitting here listening and watching on this lazy misty Saturday morning. We laughed and laughed at the Lucy one.
Oop, now you're getting into my power alley. I think Schumann's Humoresque is very far from being a "light" piano piece. The whole thing is almost a half-hour long and much of it is very introspective and profound. Other parts have a sort of rough, gruff good humor. It's long been one of my favorite pieces by Schumann and I've worked on it off and on over the years.
Oh how to express the affections that this short piece evokes? The alternating of the two basic themes makes one laugh and cry simultaneously with a kind of inexpressible joy. It reminds me of the line in The Last Battle: “But very quickly they all became grave again: for, as you know, there is a kind of happiness and wonder that makes you serious. It is too good to waste on jokes.”
This is my favorite piece of classical music. Your post on it here has made it even more special. Thank you very much.
Such a great composer! My understanding is that he was attempting to invent, in a way, an American form of folk music. He is very under appreciated.
As for Perlman, my wife and I had the privilege of seeing him in his new show, An Evening With Itzhak Perlman, a couple weeks ago. It’s not a traditional concert, it’s him telling stories about his childhood and career, lots of jokes, and playing his favorite pieces. Unforgettable, must-see event, he’s touring across the country with it, there still seem to be some tickets available to some of the shows, if at all possible y’all should see it!
I lived in Prague for a few years in the early 1990s and occasionally strolled by the “Villa Amerika” that houses the Dvorak Museum. It has no connection to him otherwise—he never lived in it—but it is a charming building in a most picturesque setting. I first came across it in early Spring and that is how I always think of it. Czechs were insistent that we Americans attend performances of his New World Symphony and most of us happily did. It was easy enough to find his music being performed somewhere in town, especially during the Prague Spring season.
Thanks for the Dvorak and fine commentary. He is a favorite and those 'American' inspired pieces are absolutely wonderful. I wonder if you've read "Spillville" by Patricia Hampl which is an essay about Dvorak's summer in Iowa? Great reading, her language is exemplary, and Dvorak, a bit peculiar and oh so interesting!
I wonder if you have ever heard of the famous and unlikely songwriting team, consisting of the founder and president of the Dixie Cup Company, Hugh Everett Moore, and the other, the famous Hindu religious teacher and step-brother of 80's talk show host Joan Rivers. Both of them, being of high social standing, the pair were most often referred to with their honorary titles and known as "Hugh Moore, esq, and Swami Rivers"
Uh, I gotta go now. Bye...
A composition intended to evoke good humor... I think it succeeded, or maybe I'm just in a good mood this morning, and the piece complements my mood well. Either way, it was a pleasant addition to my day. Thanks!
Had a good laugh listening to these two geniuses. When I was growing up, Millbrook bread used that tune. So, here’s what I heard:
Millbrook is the bread to buy
And when you buy it you’ll know why it
Tastes so good; it’s baked while music plaaaays😂
I liked your performance a lot more!
You’ve outdone yourself. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed all three of them, sitting here listening and watching on this lazy misty Saturday morning. We laughed and laughed at the Lucy one.
Oop, now you're getting into my power alley. I think Schumann's Humoresque is very far from being a "light" piano piece. The whole thing is almost a half-hour long and much of it is very introspective and profound. Other parts have a sort of rough, gruff good humor. It's long been one of my favorite pieces by Schumann and I've worked on it off and on over the years.
Oh how to express the affections that this short piece evokes? The alternating of the two basic themes makes one laugh and cry simultaneously with a kind of inexpressible joy. It reminds me of the line in The Last Battle: “But very quickly they all became grave again: for, as you know, there is a kind of happiness and wonder that makes you serious. It is too good to waste on jokes.”
This is my favorite piece of classical music. Your post on it here has made it even more special. Thank you very much.
Such a great composer! My understanding is that he was attempting to invent, in a way, an American form of folk music. He is very under appreciated.
As for Perlman, my wife and I had the privilege of seeing him in his new show, An Evening With Itzhak Perlman, a couple weeks ago. It’s not a traditional concert, it’s him telling stories about his childhood and career, lots of jokes, and playing his favorite pieces. Unforgettable, must-see event, he’s touring across the country with it, there still seem to be some tickets available to some of the shows, if at all possible y’all should see it!