This past weekend the extraordinary concert event called the Ode to Joy festival (Sept. 8-11) occurred. It featured a dazzling array of music from the widely acclaimed Lions Gate Trio, which was joined by Hartt’s outstanding music faculty and guest artists. The music was inspired by Antonin Dvorak, who wrote some of the most beloved music of the Romantic Era. Dvorak drew from people around him celebrating the folk music of his native Czechoslovakia, while shaking off the heavy mantle of German Romanticism.

When he visited America for three years, Dvorak was struck by a similar musical vision for this country. Deeply inspired by African American music, he declared to the Herald Tribune that if composers here wanted to create a great and noble new classical music, they had all they needed in the African-American melodies around them. Dvorak was equally drawn to Native American music. During his summer days in Iowa, he stayed up three nights in a row to hear every sound made by the Algonquin musicians at the local fair.

It is no surprise that these American inspirations echo in Dvorak’s own music. More recently, they are also the foundation of works by newer composers: David Baker, Dorothy Rudd Moore, Samson Occom, Florence Price, and Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate.

Make sure to check out The Hartt School Calendar for more events. Performances are also livestreamed for anyone to experience on the Uhart website. Visit this link for more information: https://www.hartford.edu/academics/schools-colleges/hartt/performances/livestream.asp