Selected Songs of Dvořák

Author: Jiang Ying
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-01-01
Features: Antonín Dvo?ák (1841-1904), a Czech composer, was born into a family of a small innkeeper and butcher. At the age of sixteen, he entered the Prague Organ School for studies, later joining the orchestra of the Provisional Theatre in Prague (later renamed the National Theatre) as a violist and formally beginning his creative career. His first work to gain recognition in the musical world was the patriotic hymn "Sons of the White Mountains." The following year, he resigned from his theater orchestra position to become an organist in a church, allowing more time for composition. He later met Johannes Brahms, who strongly recommended his "Moravian Duets," bringing them international fame. He also maintained sincere friendships with Hans Richter, Hans von Bülow, and Pyotr Tchaikovsky. He was invited to visit Britain nine times, traveled to Germany and Russia, and personally conducted performances of his works, receiving great acclaim.
Dvo?ák challenged many myths about classical music, as everyone knows that a love for classical music is often cultivated. To develop this interest, the normal progression begins with popular music, then Herbert, and finally the light works of young composers—and then returns to the genuine article—but first, it must be carefully selected, easily accessible works in true music. Only after this does the listener prepare to hear the masterpieces. However, this statement is not entirely accurate; it is indeed a path, but by no means the only one. Because every composer has beginner-level masterpieces. Dvo?ák's works are full of such material. Dvo?ák's music is the essence of Bohemia. Although he rarely used existing folk themes, he wrote his own themes in their style. His genius led people to believe that his works were more universal than those of Smetana in his early years, despite the latter often being called the founder of Czech music. Throughout his sixty-two years, Dvo?ák worked tirelessly, composing nine operas, nine symphonies, overtures, and other orchestral works, as well as piano, cello, and violin concertos, songs, solo piano music, chamber music, including fourteen string quartets, one narrative song, one oratorio, one cantata, and one Requiem.