Listen Live Concert Guidebook 2023

ALL ABOUT DVORÁK
Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) was a composer, pianist,
and violist from the Czech Republic. He was born in a small
village in an area known as Bohemia. Like John Williams,
Dvořák also came from a musical family. His father played
the zither, which is a beautiful stringed instrument made of
wood. Dvořák attended many concerts and took lessons for
violin, viola, piano and the organ.
Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904).
Photo via Granger.
Dvořák was very talented and learned how to compose
as a teenager. To improve his skills, he attended the Institute
for Church Music in Prague, the capital city. Dvořák wrote a
variety of music, such as opera, string quartets, concertos,
and symphonies. Soon he would become one of the most
famous composers from the Czech Republic.
Every composer is different and has a special way of writing music. Dvořák is
known as a Romantic composer from the Romantic Period. This was a time during
the 1800s when composers experimented with different sounds and harmony. The
music was also more dramatic and expressive. Dvořák was truly gifted at writing
music that can affect the mood of the audience. For example, listen to the opening
of his Symphony No. 9. Pay attention to the beautiful sound of the violas and cellos.
Viola
Cello
Prague, Czech Republic
9