Sunday, November 10, 2024 at 4:00 pm
Monday, November 11, 2024 at 7:30 pm

John Morris Russell, Conductor

Duke Ellington, The River
Antonin Dvořák, Symphony No. 9, Op. 95, B. 178, E minor, “From the New World”

“Dvořák and Ellington represent the past, present and future of American music – their infectious rhythmic drive, soulful harmonies and richly nuanced orchestrion define the American sound.” – John Morris Russell, Music Director

Two quintessentially American works are presented side-by-side in this celebration of American Music Month with Maestro JMR. The Dvořák Symphony No. 9,  “From the New World”, inspired by the music of the turn-of-the-century, including Ragtime, Sousa Marches, Stephen Foster and the Spiritual, has been beloved from its very first performance at Carnegie Hall in 1893. Nearly eighty years later, inspired by Dvořák’s protégé, Will Marion Cook, Edward “Duke” Ellington created one of his most enduring symphonic works “The River”, that, like Dvořák’s New World Symphony, uses popular musical styles, jazz, and blues to tell a new story of America.