Antonin Dvorák, composer and conductor, is an internationally renown Czech composer famous for his masterpiece Symphony No.9, 'From the New World' and Slavonic Dances. He is also known for his use of Bohemian and Slavonic folk songs and dances.
Early Life of Antonin Dvorák
Dvorák was born in Nelahozeves, Bohemia (now Czech Republic) on September 8, 1841, Following the family tradition, he was trained as a butcher, but he finally convinced his father to allow him to pursue music especially singing, violin, piano and organ. He studied with Antonin Liehmann, and at the Prague Organ School. Only 16 years old, he played viola in cafes and the organ in a mental asylum in order to earn monies. A capable viola player, he joined the band that became the nucleus of the new Provisional Theatre orchestra.
In 1862, Bedrich Smetana established the National Theatre of Prague. Dvorák joined it as a viola player staying for about 10 years. He left to give him more time for composition, at the same time taking a position of church organist.
Antonin Dvorák was an amiable family man, and lived a happy life.
International recognition came with his two sets of Slavonic Dances and when he became director of the National Conservatory in New York for three years from 1892, returning to Prague and eventually became head of the conservatory there. He also became a close friend of Brahms who had much influence on him.
Major Symphonic Works of Dvorák
- Symphony No.1 "Bells of Zionice" 1865
- Symphony No.5 in F major 1875
- Symphonic Variations for Orchestra 1877
- Symphony No.6 in D major 1880
- Symphony No.7 in D minor 1885
- Symphony No.8 in G major 1889
- Symphony No.9 "From the New World" 1893
His most famous work, Symphony No.9, entitled 'From the New World' (1893), reflects his interest in American folk themes, including black and native American. He was not as successful as an opera composer, except for the romantic fairy-tale Rusalka, presented three years before his death. He died in Prague, age 62.
Dvorák's Other Works
- Tone poems
- Operas including Rusalka (1900), his best-known based on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid
- Choral works of large scale,
- Carnival and other overtures
- Violin and cello concertos
- Chamber music
- Piano pieces
- Songs
Dvorák's Romantic music extends the classical tradition of Beethoven and Brahms and displays the influence of Czech folk music. Along with countrymen Bedrich Smetana and Leos Janacek, Antonin Dvorák exercised Czech music nationalism and patriotism. He was also a master of symphonic music in the German tradition of Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Brahms.
Recommended CD
Symphony No.9, 'From the New World' – Deutsche Grammophon, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Levine
Sources:
Music by Frank Granville Barker, Windward (1981)
The Grove Concise Dictionary of Music, edited by Stanley Sadie, Macmillan Press (1994)
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