Antonín Dvorák was one of the most reputed Czech composers of nineteenth century. He was born in 1841 in Nelahozeves, near Prague. His father was a butcher who occasionally played Zither. He basically composed Romantic music in form of operas, symphonic, choral and chamber music. His music was appreciated because he had a keen instrumental sense and composed music characteristic of clear formal outlines and brilliant melodies. He widely used idioms and melodies of folk music in his works, making him a prominent national figure.

In 1890s, during his break in the U.S.A, he composed his ‘American’ and ‘New World’ music pieces. He found a home away from home in the small Czech town in Iowa where he spent the entire summer of his stay, away from the unease of the American high society. This is when his music was influenced by the originator of African-American baritone, H.T. Burleigh. This is why Dvorák’s compositions of that period have spiritual-like melodies in the ‘New World’ symphony. Another reason... show more

Antonín Dvorák was one of the most reputed Czech composers of nineteenth century. He was born in 1841 in Nelahozeves, near Prague. His father was a butcher who occasionally played Zither. He basically composed Romantic music in form of operas, symphonic, choral and chamber music. His music was appreciated because he had a keen instrumental sense and composed music characteristic of clear formal outlines and brilliant melodies. He widely used idioms and melodies of folk music in his works, making him a prominent national figure.

In 1890s, during his break in the U.S.A, he composed his ‘American’ and ‘New World’ music pieces. He found a home away from home in the small Czech town in Iowa where he spent the entire summer of his stay, away from the unease of the American high society. This is when his music was influenced by the originator of African-American baritone, H.T. Burleigh. This is why Dvorák’s compositions of that period have spiritual-like melodies in the ‘New World’ symphony. Another reason for this may be because of the fact that African-American and Eastern European melodic structures naturally resemble each other. He became so renowned by then that he was considered as an heir to Brahms.

Looking at his early years in Prague in 1860s and 1870s, he learnt the organ and played it in a church. He also played violin in a café and simultaneously composed many symphonies, Czech-language operas and chamber music. In 1870s, he won the government grant offered to young artists struggling to make a mark in the music scene. One of the judges there was Hanslick, a music critic from Viennese. In 1877, Brahms helped Dvorák in getting a contract with Simrock, Brahms’ own publisher. Though there was an initial friction of thoughts because Dvorák insisted on including Czech-language work titles on the printed covers, a rare opportunity at those German-dominated times in music, the deal was profitable for him.

He then composed some brilliant pieces of music like Seventh, Eighth, and New World symphonies that shot him to international fame in 1880s and 1890s. He started composing operas once again before his death. His composition Rusalka, premiered in 1901, depicts a legend and shows Wagnerian influences. Till date, it is one of the most performed pieces among his vocal compositions. In 1891, Dvorák took the post of a professor at Prague University. One of his students at the university was Josef Suk, who later became his son-in-law.

One of his most celebrated symphonies is the Symphony No. 9, a part of ‘From the New World’ of 1893. Another of his brilliant creations is Cello Concerto composed in 1894-1895, much appreciated by soloists who get an opportunity to show virtuosic flair and soaring expressivity. Some of his famous chamber music compositions are 14 string quartets of 1862-1895, the ‘American’ Quintet of 1893 and the ‘Dumky’ Trio of 1890-1891. These had folk influences, while maintaining Brahmsian absolute forms.
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