Dvorak came to America in 1892 to become the head of the National Conservatory in New York City. He spent the summer of 1893 in Spillville Iowa, soaking up the sounds of America, which he captured in his "American" String Quartet. The quartet includes birdcalls and other particularly American sounds that he heard.
It is believable that Dvorak was inspired to take on and complete a request to compose a "Cello Concerto" after hearing Victor Herbert's 2nd Cello Concerto.
Music Director Riccardo Muti put together this program of music by Italian composers and works inspired by Italy, like Mendelssohn's "Italian" Symphony.
Dvorak spent time in Spillville, Iowa summer of 1893 and from that came his famous "American String Quartet" (not heard tonight) followed by his Viola Quintet (String Quaintet No. 3) (heard tonight). The two pieces exhibiti musical and stylisitic similarities.
Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas selected the pieces for this concert and the subsequent CD release, plus Yuja Wang joins the SFS for Prokofiev's 1st Piano Concerto
