ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK Nocturne
ABOUT THE COMPOSER
Born 1841 in Nelahozeves , Bohemia ; died 1904 in Prague , Bohemia ( now Czech Republic )
• Dvořák was born the first of 14 children . He started playing violin in school and performed at his local church and village band . His upbringing in Bohemia had significant impact on his work .
• Dvořák ’ s first compositions were performed without fanfare – many of his works did not receive premieres until years after they were completed . His fortunes began to change when he entered a competition , for which Brahms was one of the judges , and won . Brahms became a champion of Dvořák ’ s music for the rest of his life .
• From there , his career took off and Dvořák started gaining international recognition . In 1892 , Dvořák moved to the U . S . where he wished to learn about American music . Dvořák supported the notion that African-American and Native American music were the foundation of American music .
• Dvořák became the first Czech composer to achieve international fame , and he is remembered for his use of Bohemian folk melodies in Romantic music .
THE WORLD AT A GLANCE
1883
MUSIC John Philip Sousa ’ s “ Transit of Venus March ”
TECHNOLOGY The first overhead electric lighting system is installed
FUN FACT
When Dvořák was growing up , he apprenticed as a butcher . He was even inducted into the local Butcher ’ s Guild at age 13 .
LITERATURE Life magazine is founded
ABOUT THE PIECE
• Nocturne is a single movement composition for string orchestra written in 1883 .
• This lush work originated as the slow movement of his String Quartet No . 4 .
HISTORY The volcanic island of Krakatoa erupts
14 BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA