America, an Epic Rhapsody
Encyclopedia
America, an Epic Rhapsody (often shortened to America) is an orchestral work composed between 1926 and 1927 by Swiss-born Ernest Bloch
, as a tribute to the country to which he had emigrated in 1916. The work consists of three movements, covering the history of the United States and entitled '1620', '1861-1865' and '1926'. It was first performed in New York
.
According to Bloch, the idea for America first came to him as he arrived in the United States in 1916. This idea reoccurred to him as he studied some works of Walt Whitman
in 1925, and the following year he composed the rhapsody's anthem while in San Francisco.
In a 1927 contest sponsored by Musical America, the rhapsody won the $3000 prize for the best symphonic work on an American theme by an American composer, beating ninety other entries to gain the unanimous vote of the judges. On 21 December 1928, following this success, America was performed simultaneously in five American cities: Chicago
, New York
, Boston
, Philadelphia and San Francisco.
Ernest Bloch
Ernest Bloch was a Swiss-born American composer.-Life:Bloch was born in Geneva and began playing the violin at age 9. He began composing soon afterwards. He studied music at the conservatory in Brussels, where his teachers included the celebrated Belgian violinist Eugène Ysaÿe...
, as a tribute to the country to which he had emigrated in 1916. The work consists of three movements, covering the history of the United States and entitled '1620', '1861-1865' and '1926'. It was first performed in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
According to Bloch, the idea for America first came to him as he arrived in the United States in 1916. This idea reoccurred to him as he studied some works of Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman
Walter "Walt" Whitman was an American poet, essayist and journalist. A humanist, he was a part of the transition between transcendentalism and realism, incorporating both views in his works. Whitman is among the most influential poets in the American canon, often called the father of free verse...
in 1925, and the following year he composed the rhapsody's anthem while in San Francisco.
In a 1927 contest sponsored by Musical America, the rhapsody won the $3000 prize for the best symphonic work on an American theme by an American composer, beating ninety other entries to gain the unanimous vote of the judges. On 21 December 1928, following this success, America was performed simultaneously in five American cities: Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Philadelphia and San Francisco.