Dvořák’s New World
May 4 / 7:30 pm
"Dvořák's New World" unpacks Antonín Dvořák's prediction that the future of classical music would be found in the United States rather than Europe. Florence Prices' most famous work, "Ethiopia's Shadow in America," concludes the Masterworks series. Streaming Sample Program Alastair Willis, Music Director George Shirley, narrator Gershwin Porgy and Bess excerpts Tate Chokfi’ Price Ethiopia’s Shadow in America I. Introduction and Allegretto: The Arrival of the Negro in America When First Brought Here as a Slave II. Andante: His Resignation and Faith III. Allegro: His Adaptation Intermission Dvořák Symphony No. 9 I. Adagio—Allegro molto II. Largo III. Molto vivace IV. Allegro con fuoco Pre-concert Talk Your concert ticket includes the pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. Come early to learn more about the music with Music Director Alastair Willis. Program Notes Chokfi’ Jerod Impichcha̱achaaha' Tate Born July 25, 1968, Norman, Oklahoma, Composed: 2018 Premiered May 6, 2018, Commissioned by Oklahoma Youth Orchestra Duration: 9 minutes Chokfi’ (choke-fee) is the Chickasaw word for rabbit, who is an important trickster legend within Southeast American Indian cultures. Inspired by a commission for youth orchestra I decided to create a character sketch that would be both fun and challenging for the kids. Different string and percussion techniques and colors represent the complicated and diabolical personality of this rabbit person. In honor of my Muscogee Creek friends, I have incorporated a popular tribal church hymn as the melodic and musical base. – Jerod Impichcha̱achaaha’ Tate Ethiopia’s Shadow in America Florence Price Born: April 9, 1887, in Little Rock, Arkansas Died: June 3, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois Composed: 1932 Length: 14 minutes Ethiopia’s Shadow in America is one of only a few pieces in Price’s musical selection in which she provided a descriptive accompanying narrative. The first page of the manuscript score explains that she wanted it to portray “I – The Arrival of the Negro in America when first ...
