Abstract:
Contrary to the popularity of Antonín Dvořák’s symphonic compositions and even his
choral Te Deum, his cantata The American Flag is not widely known. Despite its sparse
performance history, The American Flag is accessible for a collegiate or community choir and is
appropriate for a variety of patriotic or commemorative occasions. Throughout The American
Flag, Antonín Dvořák set the patriotic text to maximize dramatic impact by his choice of shifting
texture, melodic repetition, key selection, harmonic language, and tempo variation. This essay
includes a history of the composition, offers suggestions for performance preparation,
illuminates challenges for the conductor, and presents a method of analysis designed to aid
conductors in preparing the piece for rehearsal and performance. Discussion of performance
preparation includes variables between performance with full orchestra and piano
accompaniment. An appendix includes an analytical chart for each movement in the manner
developed by Julius Herford and his students.
