Antonin Dvorak (1841 — 1904)

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Father Dvorak decided that his son should be an innkeeper, and sent the boy to a nearby town in order to learn German. Living with his uncle in the small town of Zlonice, Dvorak found a devoted music teacher, Antonin Liehmanm. Under Liehmanm’s direction, he studied the viola, piano, and organ. Liehmanm was determined that Dvorak should enter the Organ School in Prague; however, his father was opposed. After much convincing, Dvorak’s uncle agreed to fund the boy’s musical education. in his later years, Dvorak fondly remembered Liehinanm, the inspiring teacher who promoted his education, and wrote an opera, The Jacobin, in his memory.

Dvorak studied at the Organ School for almost ten years. He worked hard, and composed occasionally. Once the funds for his education ran out, Dvorak found a position in the orchestra of the National Opera. He barely earned enough money to purchase food, and often found himself cold and hungry. A decade latex, Dvorak 1cR his From then on, his primary focus became composing

In his initial compositions, Dvorak overemphasized and imitated the styles of his idols, Wagner, Beethoven, Mozart, and Liszt However, once he abandoned the German models of music, and infused Bohemian melodies into his pieces, Dvorak’s works won tremendous acclaim. Dvorak was awarded the Austrian State Stipendium on three was a member on the committee that awarded the Austrian State Stipendium. Greatly impressed with Dvorak’s compositions. Brahms became Dvorak’s devoted friend, and went to great lengths to further his career. Brahms encouraged the famous publisher, Simrock, to promote Dvorak’s works. Simrock commissioned the writing of Slavonic Dances, compositions that brought Dvorak acclaim throughout Europe Dvorak produced many operas and symphonies, and soon was internationally known. He was granted an honorary doctorate degree from Cambridge, and in 1891 he began teaching at the Prague Conservatory.

In 1892 Dvorak assumed a post as the director of the National Conservatory in New York. He thoroughly enjoyed living in the United States, and was greatly influenced melodies into his classical works, creating an unprecedented effect. The famous Ninth Symphony, also known as the New World Symphony, sprang from his love for American folk music. Dvorak returned to his homeland for the last ten years of his life, and became the director of the Prague Conservatory. He suffered from Bright’s disease, and died shortly after the failure of his last opera. This noteworthy individual daringly blended the sounds of American, Bohemian, and German music, an produce pieces that have continued to unify people throughout the world.