Antonín Leopold Dvořák September 8, 1841 – May 1, 1904

Early Years Dvořák was born in Nelahozeves, near Prague (then part of Bohemia in the Austrian Empire, now Czech Republic) Dvořák was the first of fourteen children, eight of whom survived infancy. Dvořák was baptized as a Roman Catholic in the church of St. Andrew in the village. Dvořák's years in Nelahozeves nurtured the strong Christian faith and love for his Bohemian heritage that so strongly influenced his music. In 1847, Dvořák entered primary school and learned to play violin. At the age of 13, through the influence of his father, Dvořák was sent to Zlonice to live with his uncle working as an apprentice butcher, studying the German language, and eventually graduating to become a journeyman on November 1, 1856.

Dvořák Dvořák took organ, piano and violin lessons from his German language teacher, Liehmann. He also taught him music theory and was introduced to the composers of the time. At the age of 16, through the urging of Liehmann and Zdenĕk, Dvořák was allowed to become a musician, on the condition that the young boy must build a career as an organist. After leaving for Prague in September 1857, Dvořàk entered the city's Organ School, studying organ and singing. Dvořák was a full-time musician. In 1858, he joined Karel Komzák's orchestra.

Influences Dvořák's artistic beginnings were influenced by the styles of Beethoven and Schubert, later by Wagner and Liszt. Dvořák was passionate about his homeland. Many of his compositions, such as the Slavonic Dances and large collection of songs, were directly inspired by Czech, Moravian, and all Slavic traditional music. As the basis for his works, Dvořák frequently used folk dance forms, such as odzemek, furiant, mazurka, polonaise or Serbian Kolo, and also folk song forms of Slavic peoples, such as dumka.

Works Piano Trio Symphony No. 4 in D minor Serenade for Strings in E major Serenade in D minor for Wind Instruments Capriccio Violin Concerto in A minor Mass in D major Te Deum Symphony No. 9 in E minor "From the New World” Rondo in G minor Rusalka

Let’s Listen New World Symphony: Humoresque Slavonic Dances in C Major and E minor Cypresses B.152