Antonín Leopold Dvořák (08.09.1841-01.05.1904) was a classic of Czech music, one of the founders of the national school of composition, known for his symphonies, operas and chamber music. Like other musicians of the Romantic era, including P. Tchaikovsky and E. Grieg, he extensively used folk melodies and dance rhythms in his work. At the same time, Dvořák lived, perhaps, the most peaceful and happy life of any of the famous Romantic composers.

Some of Dvořák's best-known works are – Symphony No. 9 ‘From the New World’ (written in the United States), the opera ‘Rusalka”, the Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, the ‘American’ String Quartet, Requiem, 'Stabat Mater’ and Slavonic Dances.

The composer's works, in which he combined classical traditions and authentic features of folk music, were highly appreciated throughout the world; his musical inventiveness was as varied as the unique beauty of the melodies he created. Dvořák actually created one composition after another; he constantly complained that his hands did not have time to write down his thoughts. A. Dvořák's works, captivatingly melodic, are based on the rhythmic and tone peculiar properties of Czech music, while at the same time incorporating elements of Viennese classical and romanticism. Compositions of the talented musician are distinguished by their emotional expressiveness, brilliance of orchestration, rhythmic and harmonic variety and clarity of musical thinking. Great deals of the composer’s works are characterized by cheerfulness and humor, but apart from that, they charm with unusually warm and tender lyricism.

Antonín Dvořák is the major representative of Czech Romanticism. Creative work of the Romantics reflects the ideas of identity renewal, the affirmation of its spiritual power and beauty, individualistic rebellion against bourgeoisie, sublime lyricism, and interest in fantastic plots. Antonín Dvořák worked extensively and fruitfully, which is why his legacy is huge: operas, symphonies and chamber music. The composer wrote 11 operas, cantata and oratorio works, 9 symphonies (1865-1893), symphonic poems and other orchestral and chamber instrumental works, choruses and songs. Dvořák was a professor, conductor and director of conservatories in Prague and New York.

For some time the legacy of Antonín Dvořák legacy was neglected, but today his music is once again very popular. The composer's symphonic works are invariably included in the repertoire of the most prominent orchestras and in the programmes of various festivals. The power of the musical thought of his art works is that it gives people joy and peace, and calls them to love and humanity. Dvořák's mighty talent and hard work established the national traditions of Czech music and enriched world music culture with many works of musical Romanticism. The works of Dvořák combine vivid national uniqueness, based on the embodiment of Czech and Slovak folk-song traditions, with emotional richness, cheerfulness, clarity of musical thought and form.

To mark the composer's birthday, we have prepared two musical selections, one of which features unique recordings of Dvořák's works digitised from Duo-Art paper music rolls. Fans and connoisseurs of the composer's music will have the opportunity to listen to the performance of the talented pianist and the composer's niece Marie Dvořák that was playing as close to the authentic sound as possible and who was recording exclusively for Duo-Art throughout her musical career.

The second selection is comprised of Antonín Dvořák's compositions digitized from gramophone records, which are stored in the Music Records section of the collection.