Dvořák Manuscript Ranks Among Top Ten Treasures of New York Philharmonic Archives
By Majda Kallab Whitaker
New York Philharmonic Archivist and Historian Barbara Haws considers Dvořák’s “New World” Symphony manuscript to be among the top ten treasures she has unearthed in the New York Philharmonic Archives during her 34-year tenure. The document records how Dvořák’s renowned work, composed in New York City, was transformed by conductor Anton Seidl during rehearsals for the historic premiere on December 16, 1893. With the composer’s consent, Seidl changed the tempo of the famous second movement of the symphony from Larghetto to Largo, capturing the feeling of African-American spirituals that Dvořák heard sung by baritone Harry T. Burleigh of the National Conservatory of Music of America. Haws, who has lead digitization of the New York Philharmonic archives and provided unprecedented public access to its many holdings, is leaving to pursue her doctorate at Oxford University – delving into another treasure she unearthed: the travel diary of New York Philharmonic founder Ureli Corelli (1802-1875). Haws has collaborated with DAHA on many projects, as well as worked closely with DAHA Vice President, Professor Michael Beckerman, who has served as New York Philharmonic Leonard Bernstein Scholar-in-Residence from 2016 - 2018.
See the New York Times online article “10 Treasures, Unearthed From the New York Philharmonic’s Archives,” published in print Sunday, May 20, 2018 here.
New York Philharmonic Press Release: “Barbara Haws Named Archivist and Historian Emeritus at the New York Philharmonic,” April 18, 2018.
Barbara Haws lecture of 11/17/14 on DAHA’s YouTube Channel here.
By Majda Kallab Whitaker, DAHA
Photo Credit: New York Philharmonic Archives