Lot 22
Dvorák, Antonín (1841-1904) Czech composer who incorporated Moravian and Bohemian folk music into his compositions. Autograph letter signed ("Antonín Dvorák"), 4 pages, in English, 8 x 4 7/8 in., Vysoká, Príbrami, July 20, 1894. To Madame (Jeannette) Thurber, wife of a wealthy grocer in New York, who, in the spring of 1891, had invited Dvorák to assume the directorship of the National Conservatory of Music, which she had founded in 1885. The Conservatory was advanced for its time, admitting men and women, blacks and whites. Dvorák was offered $15,000 per year, a large amount at the time, but with the depression of 1893, which affected the Thurber fortune, the money was not always forthcoming. Dvorák and his family arrived in September 1892 and stayed until April 1895. While at the conservatory, Dvorák composed his famous E minor Symphony, subtitled "From the New World."
Dvorák, who had gone back to Bohemia for the summer of 1894, writes that he could not write her before because "we had to make a little trip to my friends in Pisek a small city about 5 miles far from Vysoká. Now we are back and I have to answer your question about 'American Flag.' [a cantata written by Dvorák to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus in 1892]. I am willing to meet your wishes but as to the copyright…you have to make fro [sic] me some steps in Washington….I was very pleased to heare [sic] from you of Hiawatha, and I hope with your help I can do something good." He discusses which ship he and his family should take back to New York, says they have not decided how many children they are taking back with them, gives news of a sick child and of the boys, Tony and Otokar who "care only for horses and other animals…." Dvorák made no setting of Hiawatha, but he felt that American music should incorporate Native American and African American music into a national style of music.
Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000.
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| Realized $4,680 |
