History Music / AntoninDvorak

* RealMenLoveJesus: Dvořák was a devout Catholic and saw his faith as the cornerstone on which he built his life and work. He composed many sacred works, like his Requiem; ''St. Ludmilla'', an oratorio about the Czech saint of the same name; and ''Biblical Songs'', a song cycle he composed for his consolation based on ten excerpts, selected by him, from the Psalms.
* {{Romanticism}}: Dvořák's music definitely qualifies as this, though his work straddles both sides of the "War of the Romantics". He composed operas and tone poems that showed kinship to works by Music/RichardWagner and Music/FranzLiszt, but also wrote absolute music (non-programmatic symphonies and chamber music) with notable influence by Music/JohannesBrahms. This last composer proved to be a generous mentor, significantly helping establish Dvořák's reputation.

Antonín Dvořák (to avoid possible embarrassment, it's D(ə)-VOR-zha(h)k, not Dvor-rak) (8 September 1841 -- 1 May 1904). The most famous of Czech composers, Dvořák's musical idiom is infused with the traditions of his native Bohemia. In addition to this musical nationalism, Dvořák also exemplified many other characteristics of the late Romantic period, including writing for large orchestras, lush melodies, and powerful, emotional climaxes. The influence of Music/JohannesBrahms shows on Dvořák in that Dvořák declined to assign programs to his symphonies and often used classical forms. On the other hand, the Wagnerian influence also strongly manifests itself in Dvořák, especially in the tone poems and operas. Dvořák, a prolific composer, created works in almost all genres. These include 9 symphonies, a piano, cello and violin concerto, 10 operas, numerous religious works, 14 string quartets and other chamber works, and many attractive small scale pieces like the ''Music/SlavonicDances''. These 16 short pieces based on Bohemian folk tunes helped launch Dvořák's career and were inspired by Brahms's similar ''Music/HungarianDances''.

Antonín Dvořák (to avoid possible embarrassment, it's D(ə)-VOR-zha(h)k, not Dvor-rak) (8 September 1841 -- 1 May 1904). The most famous of Czech composers, Dvořák's musical idiom is infused with the traditions of his native Bohemia. In addition to this musical nationalism, Dvořák also exemplified many other characteristics of the late Romantic period, including writing for large orchestras, lush melodies, and powerful, emotional climaxes. The influence of Creator/JohannesBrahms shows on Dvořák in that Dvořák declined to assign programs to his symphonies and often used classical forms. On the other hand, the Wagnerian influence also strongly manifests itself in Dvořák, especially in the tone poems and operas. Dvořák, a prolific composer, created works in almost all genres. These include 9 symphonies, a piano, cello and violin concerto, 10 operas, numerous religious works, 14 string quartets and other chamber works, and many attractive small scale pieces like the ''Music/SlavonicDances''. These 16 short pieces based on Bohemian folk tunes helped launch Dvořák's career and were inspired by Brahms's similar ''Music/HungarianDances''.

* {{Romanticism}}: Dvořák's music definitely qualifies as this, though his work straddles both sides of the "War of the Romantics". He composed operas and tone poems that showed kinship to works by Music/RichardWagner and Music/FranzLiszt, but also wrote absolute music (non-programmatic symphonies and chamber music) with notable influence by Creator/JohannesBrahms. This last composer proved to be a generous mentor, significantly helping establish Dvořák's reputation.

His other two popular symphonies are Symphony No. 7 in D minor (1885), Op. 70 and Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88. The latter contains another lovely slow movement. All of Dvořák's symphonies are worth checking out, though the last three are the ones most often performed and recorded. [[note]] Symphony No. 1 "The Bells of Zlonice" in C minor (1865) is starting to develop a following amongst classical music musicians and fans, although Dvořák himself dismissed it as "Juvenilia" [[/note]]

His other two popular symphonies are Symphony No. 7 in D minor (1885), Op. 70 and Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88. The latter contains another lovely slow movement. All of Dvořák's symphonies are worth checking out, those the last three are the ones most often performed and recorded.

His most popular work is by far Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 ("From the New World"). The sublime "Largo" ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYl4Xb4cDQ8 Listen here]]) from this symphony has become a popular StandardSnippet. He wrote the symphony while staying in the United States, during which he studied and admired African American spirituals. Many scholars have argued that the thematic materials of the symphony are in fact based on spirituals, though Dvořák always denied this. Music from the exciting and powerful [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yctfXIqugXc Allegro con fuoco ending movement]] of this symphony was later stolen by Music/JohnWilliams for use in ''Film/{{Jaws}}'', though these days it may be better known for its use in one of the climactic battles of the anime ''Manga/OnePiece''. Ironically, the use of the "Largo" in adverts by British bread manufacturer Hovis has led to be it being regarded as a leitmotif for [[OopNorth Yorkshire]] in the UK.[[note]] Never mind that the Hovis advertisement which first used the "Largo" was filmed on a hill in Dorset, on England's ''south'' coast![[/note]]

His most popular work is by far Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 (''From the New World''). The sublime "Largo" ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYl4Xb4cDQ8 Listen here]]) from this symphony has become a popular StandardSnippet. He wrote the symphony while staying in the United States, during which he studied and admired African American spirituals. Many scholars have argued that the thematic materials of the symphony are in fact based on spirituals, though Dvořák always denied this. Music from the exciting and powerful [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yctfXIqugXc Allegro con fuoco ending movement]] of this symphony was later stolen by Music/JohnWilliams for use in ''Film/{{Jaws}}'', though these days it may be better known for its use in one of the climactic battles of the anime ''Manga/OnePiece''. Ironically, the use of the "Largo" in adverts by British bread manufacturer Hovis has led to be it being regarded as a leitmotif for [[OopNorth Yorkshire]] in the UK.[[note]] Never mind that the Hovis advertisement which first used the "Largo" was filmed on a hill in Dorset, on England's ''south'' coast![[/note]]

* StandardSnippet: Several examples. The English horn melody from the second movement of Symphony No. 9 in E minor (''From the New World'') was turned into the Black spiritual-influenced song "Goin' Home" (lyrics added by Dvořák's student Music/WilliamArmsFisher), while the fourth movement of the same symphony became synonymous with "The Ring General" Wrestling/{{WALTER}}. The main melody to the Humoresque No. 7 for piano solo has often been used in [[MickeyMousing cartoons and similar popular media]] to depict lighthearted insouciant moods, most notably as Slappy Squirrel's theme from ''WesternAnimation/{{Animaniacs}}''; it also acquired [[SongParody humorous lyrics]] that were widely quoted back in the 1930s and 40s regarding passenger train toilets: "Passengers will please refrain from flushing toilets while the train is standing still within the station house."
* TravelogueShow: Or travelogue piece in this case. Dvořák was named director of the [[UsefulNotes/NationalConservatoryOfMusic National Conservatory of Music]] in UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity, serving in that capacity from 1892 to 1895. While living there, he spent significant time discovering American music, especially that by African-Americans. Several of his compositions from the time show this influence, most notably his Symphony No. 9 in E minor (''From the New World'') and the String Quartet No. 12 in F major (''American''). Dvořák also wrote several solo piano works based on Polish dances such as the mazurka and polonaise.

* {{Romanticism}}: Dvořák's music definitely qualifies as this, though his work straddles both sides of the "War of the Romantics." He composed operas and tone poems that showed kinship to works by Music/RichardWagner and Music/FranzLiszt, but also wrote absolute music (non-programmatic symphonies and chamber music) with notable influence by Creator/JohannesBrahms. This last composer proved to be a generous mentor, significantly helping establish Dvořák's reputation.
* StandardSnippet: Several examples. The English horn melody from the second movement of the Symphony No. 9 in E minor ("From the New World") was turned into the Black spiritual-influenced song "Goin' Home" (lyrics added by Dvořák's student Music/WilliamArmsFisher), while the fourth movement of the same symphony became synonymous with "The Ring General" Wrestling/{{WALTER}}. The main melody to the Humoresque No. 7 for piano solo has often been used in [[MickeyMousing cartoons and similar popular media]] to depict lighthearted insouciant moods, most notably as Slappy Squirrel's theme from ''WesternAnimation/{{Animaniacs}}''; it also acquired [[SongParody humorous lyrics]] that were widely quoted back in the 1930s and 40s regarding passenger train toilets: "Passengers will please refrain from flushing toilets while the train is standing still within the station house."
* TravelogueShow: Or travelogue piece in this case. Dvořák was named director of the [[UsefulNotes/NationalConservatoryOfMusic National Conservatory of Music]] in UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity, serving in that capacity from 1892 to 1895. While living there, he spent significant time discovering American music, especially that by African-Americans. Several of his compositions from the time show this influence, most notably his Symphony No. 9 in E minor ("From the New World") and the String Quartet No. 12 in F major ("American"). Dvorak also wrote several solo piano works based on Polish dances such as the mazurka and polonaise.