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Dvořák and Iowa: Cultural Crossroads

Dvořák and Iowa: Cultural Crossroads

William CarsonIn the summer of 1893, Czech composer Antonín Dvořák spent nearly three months in Spillville, Iowa. The music he experienced while visiting Iowa and other places in the United States changed his artistic direction and led to some of his most enduring compositions. This one-week forum led by Alma A. Turecheck Professor of Music William Carson will explore Dvořák’s Iowa experience and the Euro-American, American Indian and African American music that influenced the Czech composer. The session will begin with a lecture that provides an introduction to Dvořák’s life and music. The second half of the session will feature a live musical performance of examples of Dvořák’s work presented by members of Cultural Crossroads, a visiting musical ensemble hosted by the Coe College Marquis Fine Arts Series. The Cultural Crossroads ensemble will feature Kenneth Kellogg (bass), R. Carlos Nakai (Native flute), Will Clipman (world percussion), the Ciompi Quartet and Pamela Freund-Striplen (curator, narrator, violist). This lecture-performance will take the audience on a musical and cultural journey that highlights Iowa’s connection to one of the world’s most notable musical influences.

Thursday Forum is held in Kesler Auditorium on the first floor of Hickok Hall. Each weekly session begins with registration and refreshments from 8:45-9:15 AM, followed by the lecture until 11:30 AM. The presentations blend lecture, media such as film and music, and discussion.

Admission to each four-week forum series is $40. Admission to individual lectures and each session of two- and three-week forums is $12 per week. Admission includes the lecture and morning refreshments of coffee, tea and pastries. Payment can be made in person on Thursday mornings by cash or personal check. Credit card payments can be processed by registering online in advance at www.coe.edu/why-coe/events/thursday-forum.

In the event of inclement weather, consult local media outlets to find out if the day’s forum will take place.