Summary Antonín Dvořák


ANTONIN Dvorak

1841-1904

Antonin Dvořák is the largest Czech composer who, along with his older contemporary Smetana, is a classic of Czech music, the founder of the national composer school. In the formation of the national original art of the Czech Republic, he played a huge role.

Dvorak’s music is distinguished by its exceptional melodic richness, slender form, brightness of orchestral and harmonic colors.

Dvorak was born on September 8, 1841 in the village of Nelagozeves in a poor family. In childhood, the boy heard many folk songs and dances, which made a deep impression on him, he himself began playing the violin and organ early. In 1858-1859, Dvorak was educated at the Prague Organ School, where he began composing music.

In the 60s-70s, Dvorak is already the author of many works of different genres – symphonies, operas, concerts, chamber instrumental and vocal compositions. Since 1862 he works in the orchestra of the theater, participates

in many events of a very active public life in Prague. He approaches the leading figures of the Czech intelligentsia who saw the goal of their life in the struggle against the forced Germanization of the Czechs, the formation of national art and national culture. In the 80 years, the name Dvorak acquires world fame. He performs as a conductor – a performer of his own works in England, Russia, Germany. In 1891, he became a professor at the Prague Conservatory, and in 1892 he was invited to the United States as director of the National Conservatory in New York. In America, he creates one of his best works – the symphony “

Throughout his creative career, Dvorak repeatedly turned to the genre of opera. They created operas Alfred (1870), The King and the Coal Miner (1871), The Stubborn (1874), Vanda (1875), The Sly Peasant (1877), Dimitri (1881-1882), “Jacobin” (1887-1888), “Damn and Kacha” (1898-1899), “The Mermaid” (1900), “Armida” (1902-1903). Dvořák’s penultimate opera, by right, won the most recognition. In addition, he is the author of 9 symphonies, 3 solo instrumental concerts (for pianoforte, violin, cello), a number of overtures, rhapsodies, dances (including 2 cycles of “Slavonic dances”), 5 symphonic poems, 14 string and piano quartets, 5 quintets, 6 trios and many other chamber-instrumental and piano compositions.


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Summary Antonín Dvořák