I am now satisfied that the future music of this country must be founded upon what are called negro melodies. This must be the real foundation of any serious and original school of composition to be developed in the United States.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Dvorak argues that American classical music should be built on African American spirituals and folk tunes.
- In plain terms
- American music needs to use black melodies as its base to be original.
- What can you take from it?
- Look to local folk traditions for authentic artistic foundations.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What defines a nation's sound?
- Whose music gets credited?
Another view
It overlooks other influences like European traditions or immigrant voices.
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In the negro melodies of America I discover all that is needed for a great and noble school of music. They are pathetic, tender, passionate, melancholy, solemn…
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Permalink to quote #3 The music of the people is like a rare and lovely flower growing amidst encroaching weeds. Thousands pass it, while others trample it under foot, and thus the …
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