Meet a Composer: Antonín Dvořák
Years Lived: 1841-1904
Period of Composing:
Romantic
Country: Bohemia
(Modern Day Czech Republic)
Antonín Dvořák was a romantic era composer known for
incorporating folk music and rhythms
from his native lands into his music. The oldest of nine children, he started playing violin at six years old, and composing in his early 20s. After entering but not winning a composition competition in Germany, Dvořák entered some other compositions into an Austrian competition which he won at age 33 (and again at ages 36 and 37). Brahms, who was one of the judges, was very impressed with his music and recommended him to his publisher who then commissioned Dvořák to write music.
Dvořák taught at the Prague conservatory and then moved to New York to be the head of the National Conservatory of Music. While in New York, he wrote his most famous works, his 9th Symphony “From the New World” and his cello concerto. Both pieces are still widely performed today. After being quite homesick in New York, he moved back to Bohemia a few years later. Throughout his life, Dvořák wrote 9 symphonies, several symphonic poems (piece of music that tells a story or poem), 16 operas, many chamber works, and much more!
Dvořák taught at the Prague conservatory and then moved to New York to be the head of the National Conservatory of Music. While in New York, he wrote his most famous works, his 9th Symphony “From the New World” and his cello concerto. Both pieces are still widely performed today. After being quite homesick in New York, he moved back to Bohemia a few years later. Throughout his life, Dvořák wrote 9 symphonies, several symphonic poems (piece of music that tells a story or poem), 16 operas, many chamber works, and much more!
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| The first page of his 9th Symphony, "From the New World" signed by Dvořák himself! |
To learn more about Dvořák, listen to his music, and listen to a podcast, head on over to Classics for Kids.
Visit Making Music Fun to read this worksheet about Dvořák, complete this word search, or watch a video of part of his New World Symphony.
Play this game to learn what other composers were from the Czech Republic and more countries from Classics for Kids.
Read 16 fun facts about Dvořák from Classic FM.
Learn more information about Dvořák with the Dallas Symphony.
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