ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK Serenade for Winds , IV . Finale , I . Moderato , quasi marcia
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 a 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
1878
MUSIC Gilbert and Sullivan ’ s H . M . S . Pinafore
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 .
ART Mary Cassatt ’ s Portrait of the Artist
ABOUT THE PIECE
• This chamber work , written in 1878 , was dedicated to the music critic Louis Ehlert .
• Dvořák conducted the premiere of this Slavic-inspired piece with the orchestra of the Prague Provisional Theatre .
LITERATURE Leo Tolstoy ’ s Anna Karenina
HISTORY Russo-Turkish War
BSO SESSIONS | MAY-JUNE 2021
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