CSO to Open Three-Program American Roots Festival Next Month

A Czech-born composer, Antonin Dvorák's arrival in America in 1892 had an overwhelming influence on the future of American music. The CSO's American Roots Festival will trace the imprint of "America" on classical music and the evolution of the "American sound" through Dvorák's works as well as those of Joplin, Gershwin, Copland, Ellington, and more.

While the homesick Czech composer Dvo?ák was living in New York, he combined his nostalgic longing for his homeland with the heartfelt spirit of African-American spirituals into his most beloved work, the richly emotional 'New World' Symphony. This fascinating first program of the American Roots Festival places the 'New World' Symphony side-by-side with the type of songs that inspired it, plus favorite American folk songs arranged by Aaron Copland.

The full program will include Dvorák's Carnival Overture, old American songs and traditional spirituals by Copland, and Dvo?ák's Symphony No. 9, and feature guest conductor Eugene Tzigane, guest bass-baritone Kevin Deas, and the Columbus Symphony Chorus.

The Columbus Symphony presents Dvorák's Ninth at the Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.) on Friday, January 9, at 8pm and Saturday, January 10, at 8pm. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased at the CAPA Ticket Center (39 E. State St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase tickets by phone, please call (614) 228-8600 or (800) 745-3000. The CAPA Ticket Center will also be open two hours prior to each performance. Young people between the ages of 13-25 may purchase $5 All Access tickets while available. For more information, visit www.GoFor5.com.

To post a comment, you must register and login.