I read most of Skvorecky's fiction about 20 years ago but for some reason never got round to this one. It is very different to his other work in that it has a biographical element, and is largely about the composer Dvorak and his trips to America that inspired the New World Symphony, but it is far more fun than a straight biography would be, as the narrative baton is passed through various friends, family members and musicians of varying degrees of reliability. Possibly not quite Skvorecky's best work but well worth reading, entertaining and educational. ( )

I picked this novel from my very big TBR pile and just finished it today. The story centers on Dvorak's time in the United States when he had a post as the Director of the National Conservatory in New York City. Each chapter is narrated by a different person- so the reader learns about his family and how he married his wife, Anna, as well as the histories of the many people that Dvorak met and worked with in America. In fact at one point in the novel, there seemed to be too many characters to follow as Skvorecky writes about Dvorak's many musical friends and his appreciation and later use of Black music. The many stories that make up the narrative give the reader an appreciation of the many influences that Dvorak used in his music as well as the people who were influenced by him in their musical careers in the United States as well as in Europe. In this biographical novel I made the acquaintance of some formidable women who figured in this development of music- Jeannette Thurber, a patron who used her husband's money to set up both the Conservatory and an earlier opera company and Adele Margulies - a pianist who bridged the gaps between classical and popular music. And there are the many stories of unrequited love from Dvorak's first infatuation with his wife Anna's sister Josephine to Otylia, Dvorak's daughter who had to choose between the Old and New World. The book ended and I felt a little sad in leaving all the remarkable characters in the story. A very good read to start the New Year. ( )

I found this book (titled "Scherzo Capriccioso" in the original Czech after one of Dvořák's most enchanting pieces) to be a magical recreation of late-19th century America (the object of Dvořák's affection). You get to meet the great man and see what inspired him. I feel that anyone who loves Dvořák (which means anyone who loves beautiful music) should read this book. ( )