Gerswin and Dvorak

Tonight I attended the NMSO's Dvorak and Gershwin concert.
Dvořák, Symphony No. 8
Gershwin, Concerto in F
Gershwin, Rhapsody in Blue

I like both composers, and had a very good time. My feeling about music, particularly symphonic music, is that the composer's job to start with a theme, and use that theme to transport you to different environments and emotions. Both of these guys can do that just fine, thank you.

However, it was interesting how differently the two composers made me feel. Dvorak took his theme and at different points, I was watching a butterfly in a pastoral park, with beautiful, flawless landscaping. I felt I was riding through a park, on an immaculately groomed horse. I was transported to a Victorian era party, with waltzes and bowing and hoop skirts. Dvorak built a structure of grandeur and heroism that ultimately started feeling martial to me. It's not so much individual heroism as it was the Russian army on the march. Dvorak took me there very smoothly and with gentility, at every step of the way it was like being in the hands of a great concierge that just takes care of everything.

Gershwin is so much more rustic and raw, and ultimately to my ear, American. I realize that there are those who think this is unfortunate, but I have to tell you that I enjoy it immensely. With Gershwin you sort of wake up in a jazz club in Harlem with no recollection of how you got there. Then suddenly you're at a rodeo or a hoedown (It's fun to watch all those violinists strumming away). Gershwin does the horse ride too, but it's out in the wilds or the countryside, not in a manicured park. When Gershwin goes for grandeur, it's more like the Grand Canyon, raw and elemental and rugged. When Gershwin brings in a march, it's not the Russian infantry, it's a high school band in a Thanksgiving parade. He makes a lot of sharp turns with no warning, one second you're in downtown Manhattan and then you're suddenly on an elephant in a circus parade. The music will be bright and celebratory, then suddenly stop and a musical tornado suddenly rolls over the plains and there is thunder and flood and looming clouds.

And of course, when Gershwin finally brings the different threads of this whirlwind tour together, and puts the whole orchestra behind it, and the beautiful, passionate, longing flower of the piece finally blooms, briefly, and twice, it's more than just a musical orgasm, it's like falling in love. Gershwin. American. brilliant. heartbreaking.

The NMSO is savvy, and does this every year. Go.