Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Antonín Dvořák.

In an era overloaded with brooding and overwrought, Romantic sensibilities, Antonín Dvořák’s music shone with grace and joy and humanity. Audiences were enchanted and adopted Dvořák as one of the 19th century’s most beloved composers. He was especially in demand in Britain and the USA, and enjoyed successful visits both countries. Dvořák was never happier, though, than at home in his native Bohemia, listening to the birds singing, feeding his pigeons, and indulging in a bit of train spotting, too.

Music Featured:

Cigánské melodie, Op 55 No 4 (Songs my mother taught me) Slavonic Dances Op 46 (excerpt) Hussite Overture, Op 67 Violin Concerto in A minor, Op 53 (Finale) Symphony No 6 in D, Op 60 (Scherzo) Stabat Mater, Op 58 (excerpt) Symphony No 7 in D minor, Op 70 (excerpt) Terzetto, Op 74 (Tema con variazioni) Slavonic Dances, Op 72 No 2 (Dumka) Piano Quintet in A major, Op 81 (excerpt) Symphony No 8 in G major, Op 88 (excerpt) Carnival Overture, Op 92 Piano Trio No 4 in E minor, Op 90 (Dumky) Symphony No 9 in E minor, Op 95 “From the New World” (excerpt) String Quartet No 12 in F, Op 96 (excerpt) Cello Concerto in B minor, Op 104 (Finale) Humoresque in G flat, Op 101 No 7 The Water Goblin, Op 107 Song to the Moon, Op 114 (Rusalka) (1900) String Quartet No 13 in G, Op 106 (excerpt)

Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Luke Whitlock, for BBC Wales

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000ycqy

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z