The XIXth century brought various major changes into the lives of musicians. It seems that the very concept of 'classical music' was first used during this period, appearing in the Oxford Dictionary in 1836. Antonin Dvořák, born in 1841 and deceased at the beginning of the XXth century, lived during a period in which art emphasized the idea of national identity of the various ethnic groups. Being born in a village near Prague (still part of the Austrian Empire during that period) in a family with a modest, but not poor education, Dvořák studied the organ, the violin and the viola and, as violist, he sang under the leadership of Smetana, in the Bohemian Theatre Orchestra, in the 1860s. Then, encouraged by Brahms (who had awarded him with the Austrian Composition Award for three times - in 1874, 1876 and 1877 - and who had recommended him to his publisher, Simrock), Dvořák devoted himself to composition. After he worked for a period of time as professor of composition at the Prague Conservatory, the composer held various tours outside his homeland, in London, but also in Russia and Germany, and his success was also made known over the ocean. Therefore Dvořák accepted the invitation to become director of the National Conservatory of Music in 1892. Tere, in the United States of America, the artist had composed one of his most famous creations - "From the New World" Symphony in E minor.

Returning home

Being plagued by longing for Europe, for home, Dvořák remained only three years in New York, he also declined Bhrams' invitations to move to Vienna and he returned to Prague in 1895, where he was director of the National Conservatory from 1901 and until his death. Here he finished the score for the famous Rusalka - his ninth from ten operas. In his later years, the composer wrote his last work Armida, and he died in 1904, shortly after the first listening of this opus. Beside music, the two great passions of Dvořák were lovomotive engines and raising pigeons.

Musical universe

His work includes nine symphonies, a famous concert for cello and two other lesser known opuses (for violin, respectively, piano), symphonic poems and the very beloved slave dances, string quartets, ten operas, and other various vocal and choral creations.

Radio Romania Music invites you to discover Antonin Dvorak's music and biography every day between 9^th - 10^th march, on Arpeggio, at 12:00 o'clock.