MusiLLection

America welcomed Dvořák, and the scenes of daily activity inspired him in the "From the New World" Symphony. On December 20, 1892, three months after arriving in the United States, Antonín Dvořák began planning his ninth symphony. He gave the subtitle "From the New World" recognizing the source of his inspiration. He completed the last of the four parts on May 24, 1893, writing with relief in the manuscript "Thank God!". It was the first complete composition in America. "I just wrote in the spirit of American folk songs," Dvořák replied when he was accused of copying the Negro spirituals. Indeed, his melodies are entirely authentic and are reminiscent of the rhythms and vocal style of negro songs rather than trying to imitate the songs themselves. The first performance of the Symphony No. 9 under the direction of Anton Seidl in Carnegie Hall, New York, on December 16, 1893, was extremely successful. The New York Herald newspaper referred to ...

London in 1888, the year  Dvořák 's Symphony No.8 for the Philharmonic Society was first presented. The composer loved England and many of his important works were first performed there. Starting in 1884, Antonín Leopold Dvořák visited England nine times, where his music won the admiration of the public and his concerts were extremely popular. During a trip in 1890, he directed the English premiere of Symphony No. 8 , which he had composed between August and November, the previous year. At the time, Dvořák was at a dispute with his publisher Fritz Simrock, who complained that he was losing money by investing in his compositions. That is why  Symphony No. 8 was published in England in 1892 by Novello&Co., an organization led by Henry Littleton, the secretary of the London Philharmonic Society, who invited Dvořák to England for the first time. He directed again the Symphony at Queen Hall in London with great success on March 19, 1896, during his last visit to En...

The first page of Symphony No. 9 "From the New World ", signed by the composer. The notes on the left show the oldest works with their dates, which Dvorak merged to create his masterpiece. For Orchestra: Slavonic Dances, Op. 46 & Op. 72 Serenade for Strings in E Major, Op. 22 Concertos:  Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 53 Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104 Chamber Music: String Quartet No. 12 in F Major, Op. 96 "American" Symphonies: No. 1 in C minor "The Bells of Zlonice" No. 2 in B♭ Major No. 3 in C Major, Op. 32 No. 4 in D minor No. 5 in F Major, Op. 76 No. 6 in D Major, Op. 60 No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70 No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88 No. 9 in E minor "From the New World", Op. 95 Operas: The Devil and Kate, Op. 112 Rusalka, Op. 114 Armida, Op. 115 Choral Music: Stabat Mater, Op. 58

Although the founder of the Czech national music school was Bedřich Smetana , it was Antonín Leopold Dvořák who tossed the inexhaustible wealth of the musical tradition of bohemian land throughout the Western world. His compositions are dominated by a happy combination of academic rules, instinctive technique and folk sound colors. An excellent recipient of every useful influence, the composer effectively assimilated and exploited creatively all the musical stimuli he received, either as a diligent student or as a nostalgic traveler. Following the orders of emotion rather than logic, Dvořák composed music that is sincere, spontaneous that often reflects the smile of ordinary people, without, however, disregarding the sensitivity and needs of genuine and demanding friend. A bridgemaker between folk and scholar, skillful in the application of the teachings of classical education, he completed work miraculous in variety, quality and purity. His peaceful life and emotionally balanced, all...