....and such a delightful, beautiful and upliftingly festive work it is!! I spend so long in the byways of the 20th century that I tend to forget the 19th century genius of the real greats: Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak. In fact it occurs to me to wonder whether Dvorak was the last "happy composer" before all the angst of the 20th century took over??
I once (long ago) read a quote which I now cannot recall exactly (nor can I recall the source) but went something to the effect that while so many 19th century composers were struggling with their romantic composerly angst Dvorak never lost sight of the value of a good jug of ale and a well cooked roast of beef. That quote has always struck me as a pretty good guide to the emotional world of much of Dvorak's music.
Brian
I thoroughly agree :)
