Baker, Alfred, S. Dvořák, Antonín
Basic information
Letter
August 20 1894
My dear Dr. Dvořák
My many thoughts of you this summer lead me to write a note and do my share towards reminding you of your friends and admirers on this side of the Atlantic. I was sorry to be unable to be at your steamer when you left America, but was occupied with the chorus work of the German opera in Chicago with Mr. Damrosch. I had a very successful and very apreable[!]1 time of it there. Since that time I have had very little to do in the musical life except write. In the sphere of composition I have accomplished a good deal of work which I look forward to submitting to you on your return.
In the early part of the summer I heard the performance by the Choral Society (Dosset, Conductor) of your ‘American Flag’. The cantata is much too great for that chorus in its present state, and I was mortified to have so great a work receive to poor a production.
The pres[ent] notices were most favorable to your creation, but were of course severe in their comments in the work of Mr. Dosset’s [War?] Choral Society. I was also disappointed that my successor on the American Column of the London Musical Times (a position which I inspired in April on account of the lack of interest displayed by Novello and Co in the department) was not far sighted enough to recognize and enlarge upon the value and significance of your work. I hope that we will soon hear a proper performance of the “American Flag” in New York under some strong and progressive conductor.
I am enjoying a vacation here where I remain until Sept[ember] 1 - when I return to New York. Earlier in the summer I visited on the Jersey Coast and during my stay there conducted a good performance of the “Messiah” with good chorus and orchestra.
I am very eager to see you again and to hear all about your summer in Europe.
With warmest regards
Faithfully yours
Alfred S. Baker
- appreciable
