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, religious, bold, merry, gay or what you will. It is music that suits itself to any mood or any purpose. There is nothing in the whole age of composition that cannot be supplied with themes from this source.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Dvorak praises African American spirituals as a rich foundation for a noble musical tradition due to their emotional range.
- In plain terms
- He believes black folk songs have all the emotional depth needed for great classical music.
- What can you take from it?
- Folk traditions can provide profound material for high art.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What value lies in preserving folk traditions?
- How should we credit cultural sources?
Another view
This overlooks the suffering behind the music by focusing only on artistic utility.
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