Now that we’ve
spent the last month watching the symphony progress over time, what would you
say is your favorite era for the symphony? Do you have a favorite symphonic
composer or piece?
My favorite era
has to be the Romantic period (roughly the 19th-century). As far as
a favorite piece, I always say you cannot go wrong with Beethoven! However to
avoid sounding cliché, I will go with Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 “From the New
World.” I enjoy Dvorak’s ability to create nationalistic music and, though not from
America, I believe he creates an outstanding American idiom in this piece.
