By Michelle Hines, University Relations
Posted 4-2-08
Dr. David Nelson.
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Glückwünsche (congratulations) to Dr. David Nelson, music theory professor and recipient of Vienna’s Decoration of Merit in Gold.
The City of Vienna gave Nelson the award (known in German as the Goldenes Verdienstzeichen des Landes Wiens) March 14 in recognition of his book “Vienna for the Music Lover” and of the many pilgrimages he has made to bring Americans to Vienna’s musical sites.
The Goldenes Verdienstzeichen is one of the highest honors Vienna can give. The award to Nelson is the second highest ever given to an American; the highest went to Leonard Bernstein.
Dr. Ernst Theimer, chief executive officer of the City of Vienna, presented the award in a ceremony in the Green Salon in Vienna’s Rathaus. The cultural attaché from the American Embassy, officials from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and prominent musical museums, representatives of the two publishers of Nelson’s book and 20 UNCG music students attended.
“By communicating his knowledge and his enthusiasm to young people, Dr. Nelson teaches them not only history, but also one of the fundamental convictions that is an integral part of us who live in this city: that music is one of the most beautiful achievements of our civilization and – as cliché as it may sound – makes us better human beings,” Theimer said. “Looking at the international situation today, the civilizing influence of music appears to be more important than ever.”
Nelson’s book on Vienna was published in 2006 in English and German; a Chinese translation was just released. He has published articles on the wind music of Mozart, Stravinsky and Messiaen and authored a chapter in the music education monograph "On the Nature of Musical Experience." He has taught in Austria and the Czech Republic, and has led more than 100 students and adults on musical tours of Vienna, Salzburg and Prague.
