The "American" Quartet

Listening to Dvorak's wonderful "American" quartet, op. 96 (No. 12, in F, written in just two weeks while Dvorak was summering in heavily Czech and Slovak-settled Spillville, Iowa, in 1893). As American as it is Czech; I see it as and important milestone in our musical heritage in this country. Themes from indigenous people and Euro-American culture are interlaced with traditional European musical method and form, with some Slavic motives as well. Just lovely. Perfect for Thanksgiving. 

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"If the freedom of speech is taken away-- then dumb and silent, we may be led like sheep to the slaughter."

                       --George Washington, 1783