Tracing the Spirit of the Early American Symphony

by Joseph Horowitz
15 July 2013

Library of Congress

Note: NPR's summer project is a "Search for the Great American Symphony." Joe Horowitz's contribution deals with the "early history": Gottschalk, Paine, Dvorak, Chadwick, Beach, Strong, Ives. Horowitz writes:

The accompanying audio tracks include a terrific new recording of Paine's First by JoAnn Falletta on Naxos--way better than the Zubin Mehta version on New World. I would like to think that this will be noticed and have some impact. NPR is eager to foster discussion--if anyone feels like responding to my various tendentious claims (e.g. that George Templeton Strong composed the most beautiful slow movement of any American symphony; that the New World Symphony is "American"; there are two Great American Symphonies, both by Charles Ives).

• Read the NPR piece HERE.

• Go to NPR Deceptive Cadence blog.