Antonín Dvorák (1841 - 1904)
Nelahozeves, Czech Republic

Many scholars consider Antonín Dvorák one of the most prominent Bohemian composers and master of symphonic and chorale music of the late 1800s. Although Dvorák was born into the poverty of the rural countryside, his unusual predilection for music turned him into a masterful violinist and composer. At sixteen, Dvorák traveled to Prague to learn the organ and he later performed in the National Theatre Orchestra with Bedrich Smetana. In 1873, his first successful composition was made, Hymnus. He began receiving grants from the Austrian government, which furthered his musical pursuit, and by 1891, he was appointed to the Prague conservatory. His fame grew steadily and upon the publication of Slavic Dances, Dvorák was a well-known musician. As he befriended Brahms, his music was introduced to German listeners. In 1892, he moved across the Atlantic to join the New York National Conservatory. In 1901, Dvorák's famous opera Rusalka premiered at the Prague theatre. Dvorák was a prolific composer, yet his best talent lays in his orchestral music along with his chamber music, and string quartets.

Works
Orchestral music
Symphony No.9 "From the New World" (1893
Slavonic Rhapsodies (1878)
Slavonic Dances (1886)
Cello concerto (1895)
Symphony No. 1 1865)
Serenade for Strings (1875)
Symphony No. 5 (1875)
Symphony No. 6 (1880)
Overture Carnival (1891)
Symphony No. 9 From the New World (1893)
Opera
Rusalka (1901)
Vocal
Cantata- The Spectre's Bride (1884)
Requiem (1890) masses
Choral: Stabat Mater (1877)
Chamber Music
String Quartet:
"American" (1893)
Piano
Slavonic Dances (1878)
Piano trio: Dumky (1891)

Sources:

Sony Classical. Sony Music Entertainment. 2001. <http://www.essentialsofmusic.com/eras/romhist.html>