One of the premier composers of the Romantic era, Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904) shares the distinction of pioneering a uniquely Czech style of orchestral composition and fearlessly appropriating the music of other nations. Beginning his career with inspiration from Schubert, Brahms, and Beethoven, Dvorak's unique voice became fully developed with his discovery of Czech folk music. The exuberantly nationalistic Symphony No. 6 incorporated a Czech folk dance into an elaborate four-movement work. Later, a three year visit to the United States broadened his musical scope even further: his Symphony No. 9, the world-famous "New World Symphony," drew on folk melodies and rhythms from Amerindian and African-American culture. Dvorak's symphonies paint in great detail upon wide canvasses; his passion, his flair for drama, and his impeccable ear for development lead the listener through a breathtaking diversity of moods, textures, and themes.
