The American Experience

America’s cultural diversity has long intrigued—and influenced—the musical mainstream. While in the U.S., Czech composer Antonín Dvořák wrote his Symphony No. 9 (“New World”) as an example to urge American composers to draw from their own native music. Samuel Barber created his own distinct neo-romantic sound in works such as his Violin Concerto. And, today’s American spirit is wonderfully portrayed in young New York composer Jessie Montgomery’s Coincident Dances, which captures the vibrant energy of New York City.