Page 217 - (DK) The Classical Music Book - Big Ideas Simply Explained

NATIONALISM 1830–1920 215

Structure of the
Ninth Symphony

The first movement,
Adagio (leisurely), is written
in sonata form. This section
builds to a rousing climax.

The second movement,
Largo (slow, dignified),
contains a solo that has
become one of the most
recognizable pieces of music
For his voyage to a new world, the evoking Longfellow’s description ever composed.
Apollo 11 mission to the moon in 1969, of the death of Minnehaha, Dvorˇák
Neil Armstrong took a recording of uses the stentorian chords of the
Dvorˇák’s Sympony No. 9 and is said low wind instruments to introduce
to have listened to it as he stepped out.
the beautiful melody of the cor
anglais. Here, he also drew on the
style. While some people hear old Eastern European tradition of
“Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” in funerary brass music, maintained
the symphony’s first movement, in America by the trombone choirs
at its premiere, Dvorˇák denied of Moravian (Czech expatriate) The third movement is
using existing Native and African communities, who would announce Scherzo (very lively). Its
American songs. Dvorˇák believed a death with the playing of bright tunes and snappy
there was a distinction between trombones from the church belfry. rhythms are reminiscent of
Czech folk dancing.
inspiration and imitation—whether
singing under his breath in the Lasting influence
orchestra pit or going straight from In spring 1893, Dvorˇák’s family
work to jot down ideas, his method joined him in the Moravian
was not to copy but rather to listen community of Spillville, Iowa,
then respond in his own voice. enjoying the company of their
As well as these musical styles, Czech compatriots as he completed
Dvorˇák was inspired by Henry his Symphony No. 9—the echoes of
Wadsworth Longfellow’s Ojibwe which would be heard in the music The fourth movement,
romance The Song of Hiawatha of American composers, such as Allegro con fuoco (fast and
(1855) in writing his symphony. Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, fiery), combines earlier
The third movement (Scherzo), for and Duke Ellington. Dvorˇák himself themes of the piece with
example, was suggested by the returned to Prague in 1895 and marchlike music.
scene in Hiawatha at the feast again took to composing works
where the Native Americans dance. inspired by the dances, legends,
For the second movement (Largo), and folklore of his homeland. ■

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