America opened a new musical world to Dvořák, one that would profoundly shape his creative life. After arriving in New York in 1892 to lead the National Conservatory, he formed an important friendship with the young baritone and composer Harry T. Burleigh, whose singing introduced him to the beauty and expressive power of African American spirituals. This concert explores that artistic exchange and the enduring influence of vernacular traditions on American music, pairing Dvořák with Burleigh, Florence Price, and Charles Ives, composers who, in different ways, drew deeply from folk song, spirituals, and the sounds of everyday life.

Program

PRICE Five Folksongs in Counterpoint for String Quartet (1951)
BURLEIGH Southland Sketches for Violin and Piano (1916)
IVES Violin Sonata No. 4, “Children’s Day at the Camp Meeting” (1906)
DVOŘÁK String Quintet No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 97, B. 180, “American” (1893)

Artists

Elizabeth Doorman, Eric Zivian, PIANO | Jennifer Frautschi, Josh Liu, VIOLIN | Liana Bérubé, VIOLA | Tanya Tomkins, Julia Yang, CELLO

Performance Length

Approximately 2 hours with intermission | Program and artists subject to change