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Dean Peters Performance On May 31, 1998, Dean performed Dvorak's "Biblical Songs"at Redland Baptist Church in Derwood |
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Dvorįk's Biblical Songs were written in March of 1894, during his stay in the United States as the director of the National Conservatory located in New York City. There he advised young American composers to use the American folk idiom, especially Negro spirituals and certain Native American rhythms, as the basis for a body of new American music. It was during this time he was informed of the death of the famous conductor, and close personal friend, Hans von Bülow. Just a month earlier, Dvorįk was grieved to hear that his father was near death, far away in Bohemia. As it would happen, his father expired 2 days after the completion of Biblical Songs.
Unlike many composers of his day, Dvorįk did not console himself in excess. After all, he had dealt with death before. In November 13, 1877, after burying all three of his children in the space of two years, Dvorįk completed the score to the Stabat Mater. Dvorįk's most famous choral work, is based on a 13th century Latin poem depicting Mary's contemplation of the crucifixion of her Christ.
This time, Dvorįk would console himself in the Psalms. The resulting work , considered the finest of his song cycles, is none other than the ten Biblical Songs, opus 99.
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