the
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www.driftlessjournal.com | 563-382-4221 | Tuesday, October 15, 2024 | Vol. 6 Issue 42
Bohemian rhapsodies
St. Wenceslaus concert celebrates Dvorak’s influence, Spillville’s Czech roots Classical music aficionados gathered in Spillville Saturday, Oct. 5 to connect with their inner Czech as part of the Wartburg Community Symphony’s “Experience Dvorak’s Iowa Chamber Concert.” Rebeca Nederhiser, conductor and artistic director of Wartburg Community Symphony, visited Prague earlier this year with her students and saw the landscapes which would have been familiar to Czech composer Antonin Dvorak, and remembered learning about the famed
musician’s time in Spillville. When Nederhiser returned from her travels, she visited Spillville’s St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, where Dvorak spent some of his time. “I came out here and I was just absolutely amazed,” Nederhiser said. “I saw the organ Dvorak played, and people have to experience this. It’s just absolutely phenomenal.” The world-renowned Czech composer was working in New York in 1893 and found himself homesick. Dvorak’s as-
VOTE DEC 10
KENT
KLOCKE DECORAH CITY COUNCIL AT LARGE
Resident of Decorah for 30+ years
Independent business owner operating with honesty & integrity for 30+ years
NICC Advisory Board for Carpentry 25 years Past Park & Rec Board for 18 years
A voice for the people that listens to the people
sistant, was a Spillville native and suggested a respite to the quaint Czech immigrant village might help Dvorak feel closer to home. Dvorak arrived in Spillville in June of 1893, with Dvorak and his family staying in the building now known as the Bily Clock Museum. Throughout his stay — aptly called his American period — Dvorak was inspired by nature, the drums of the local Indian tribes and echoes of the pipe organ in the church. Dvorak be-
gan a new composition soon after arriving, with the complete sketch for a quartet emerging within a mere 72 hours. The whole score was finished within 12 days, and Dvorak began the sketch of a quintet several days later, still channeling the inspirations from his first work. The resulting compositions, Opus 96 or “Quartet in F
Dvorak
continued on page 5
Rebecca Neuzil, 84-year-old Spillville local, chatted with attendees while wearing the traditional Moravian dancing costume she made for herself more than 20 years ago. Neuzil’s parents were full Czech, and she herself didn’t learn to speak English until she was in elementary school. (Decorah Leader photo by Denise Lana)
Glenwood Lutheran Church Lutefisk & Meatball Dinner with Silent Auction 1197 Old Stage Rd Decorah, Iowa Sunday, October 27, 2024 Noon-3pm Menu: Lutefisk, Meatballs, Mashed potatoes & gravy, Corn, Lefse, Rolls, Cranberries, Romegrot, Desserts
Advance tickets only
75th Anniversary!
$25 per adult $10 ages 6-12 5 and under free Last day to purchase tickets will be 10/22/24 Tickets can be purchased at: Waukon State Bank, Viking State Bank, Highland General Store & Church Office
Email Kent at: KlockeForDecorah@gmail.com
All proceeds will go towards the church organ repair!
Paid for by Klocke for Decorah Committee
For questions contact: Church office: 563-382-2747 or Alyce Schaller: 563-379-2151
GOD FAMILY COUNTRY
"
So blessed to be born, raised, living and working in our beautiful Winneshiek County. I am asking for your vote for Supervisor District 3 on Tuesday, Nov. 5.”
✓OTE DAN HOVDEN for Winneshiek County District 3 Supervisor
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