View my previous blog here: http://bazzablog-uk.blogspot.com

I reply to all comments except spam, no matter how old!

Please ignore any email address displayed here! My email is shamp123 AT sky.com


Wednesday 17 February 2021

The New World and Spin-Offs

I think the largo, (second movement), of Dvorak's New World Symphony is one of the most beautiful and memorable melodies in the classical repertoire. Apparently other's have felt this way too, as I demonstrate below. Dvorak completed the work in the United States in 1893. It's formal title is Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178.

Firstly you can listen to an extract from second movement played by the Dublin Philharmonic here.

Then, my very favourite, the spiritual song "Going Home", which borrows the melody, sung here by the stunning Norwegian soprano Sissel.

Now a song from 1968 by the Scottish group A New Generation (who later became The Sullivan Brothers). Their song, which faithfully reproduces the opening chords from Dvorak is called "Smokey Blues Away". Click here to listen.

8 comments:

Parnassus said...

Hello Bazza, When I was taking oboe lessons in Cleveland, my teacher was the English horn player in the Cleveland Orchestra, so when I heard them play the New World symphony, I got to hear him perform this magical solo.
--Jim

Hels said...

My beloved was 3.5 years old when he left Czechoslovakia and never heard a concert there. But he is still totally proud of Czech composers of world fame, including Zelenka, Gluck, Tomasek, Smetana, Devorak, Mahler and every other genius he can claim :)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Bazza - wonderful choices of music for The New World we're encountering ... these lighten our spirits - thank you ... Hilary

bazza said...

Jim: I think that piece is very accessible to youngsters first encountering the classical repertoire. I can remember first hearing in a school assembly.

bazza said...

Hels: He's right to be proud of them! The Czechs punch above their weight.

bazza said...

Hilary: Good point! Very apt for these modern times and, as I tried to show, a very versatile piece.

Lowcarb team member said...

Thank you for these music choices.
A big thumbs up and smile for Sissel :)

Happy March Wishes, keep on enjoying your music.

All the best Jan

bazza said...

Jan: Thank you!