DVOŘÁK
His Music and Life in Pictures
Fučíková
Renáta
Antonín Dvořák
His Life and Work in Pictures
Illustrated and written by Renáta Fučíková
Translated by Jan Feldstein
Reviewed by Jarmila Tauerová
Graphic design by Filip Heyduk, HMS design, Prague
Typesetting by Ondřej Fírek, Martin Brada, HMS design, Prague
Lithography by Radek Typovský, Studio Marvil, s.r.o., Prague
Printed by Eclipse a.s., Prague
Published by Práh, Prague
This book was published with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic.
We would like to thank the National Museum – the Czech Museum of Music – the Antonín Dvořák Museum for cooperation.
With the support of
In an age-old Czech landscape with the round form of Říp Hill on the horizon, near the Vltava River, the Dvořáks had lived since time immemorial.
Farmers, innkeepers, butchers, traders – but all of them musicians in their souls. And into such a humble family, the future worldfamous composer was born; on September 8, 1841 in Nelahozeves.
Do you like that, Tony?
How is it going, Franz?
You have a son!
Annie’s giving birth. Our first baby!
Country houses would catch fire even after a brief moment of carelessness. And Mr. Dvořák’s house blazed up as well.
Hurry up! Water! Look out! The beams are falling!
It is possible that the unpleasant experience from his childhood left behind a painful spot in Tony’s sensitive soul and was to be stirred up towards the end of his life.
Mum, Mum! Mum!
A Key Signature
Pay attention, you’re going to be a butcher, too.
No! No! I don’t want to!
Tony began to go to school soon, took violin lessons and played at church and at dances.
He must be having a nightmare.
1. The Bells of Zlonice
In 1848 , a revolutionary storm swept through Europe and serfdom was abolished.
There were a lot of changes which raised great hopes.
However, they were dashed when the Viennese Government drew in the reins again, even in Bohemia. But the little boy from Nelahozeves was oblivious to politics, as he was touched only by direct experience.
A new era has come.
Oh, how beautiful it is! How powerful!
The world shall be perfect in no time.
…a new Constitution has been drafted.
His dad wasn’t doing particularly well in his trade back then.
Progress had reached Central Bohemia at last in the form of rail transport. And a feeling of love for locomotives and technology was ignited in Tony’s heart.
So he gladly accepted his brother-in-law’s offer to take care of Tony for some time.
You’re going to your Uncle’s in Zlonice.
And in Zlonice Tony was taught by
What is the signature of this piece?
Four dieses: F sharp, C sharp, G sharp, D sharp!
Tony should pursue music.
Trade is trade… Can he earn his living by fiddling?
He is extremely talented.
German was the official language. It was impossible to study at higher-level schools in the Austrian Empire without knowing it well. And there were no good jobs without such schools.
Tony thus studied also German, in Česká Kamenice.
Alright. May he find his luck in music then.
Wie heißt du?
Ich heiße Anton Dvorak.
Antonín Liehmann.
Harmony Assignment
May God watch over you!
And if you don’t do well in music, you can be a butcher.
He’d play pieces of true giants, works by Händel, Mozart, Beethoven. He even met Liszt in person.
In the autumn of 1857, Antonín started studying in Prague.
In the Institute of Church Music – the Organ School – he studied sacred music: psalms, hymns and complex fugues, full of intricate musical motifs. A Franciscan school provided him with general education. The Dvořáks couldn’t afford expensive schools.
The symphony has such a lovely tune…
Antonín, can you repeat what I’ve said?
The ticket is too pricy.
I’m lucky to be a member of the orchestra.
I’m counting on you. You’ll play the viola part.
He joined the orchestra of The Unity of St. Cecilia.
2.
He lived with his relatives or as a lodger for many a year. He even didn’t have his own piano and played in his friends’ apartments.
Tony, leave the music alone and come out for a beer.
Wait, I need to check how this motif sounds.
Auntie, oh, those plum dumplings of yours!
There were thirty of them… I’ve washed your shirts.
…and I would like to apply for the post of organist in St. Henry’s Parish.
He graduated from the school of organ playing with a solo performance: he played a Bach prelude and two pieces of his own –a prelude and a fugue.
A new era of Antonín’s life had begun. He could make a living as a musician at last. He wasn’t sure, however, how he’d fare in the great city of Prague… There was also the threat of having to join the army, but in the end he found a place in the band of Karel Komzák.
You’re hereby exempt from military service.
Thank you.
I wasn’t accepted at St. Henry’s, I’m not experienced enough.
You’ll get experience here! I’ll hire you.
3. Opus 1
4. Cypresses
Antonín played the viola in Komzák’s band for 12 years. And so he did even later, when the band became the orchestra of the newly opened Provisional Theatre and was conducted by composer Bedřich Smetana.
During that time he also taught piano playing to Josephine and Anna, the talented daughters of Prague goldsmith Mr. Čermák.
They say you also composer? Play something.
Dear Miss, I’m nothing special. It’s been only chamber music so far…
However, Antonín’s unrequited love had inspired him to compose the song cycle Cypresses.
The beautiful Josephine was an actress in the Provisional Theatre and Antonín would often see her there. He fell in love with her, but she’d barely notice him.
She married Count Kounic later, but remained Antonín’s friend and counsellor for the rest of her life.
The Hymn
The Czechs felt overlooked and wanted to be heard. Patriotic and artists’ unions were being created and the foundation stone of the National Theatre was solemnly laid. Original Czech theatre plays and operas emerged. And Antonín didn’t want to be left behind.
Dvořák was encouraged by the success: he composed The Heirs of the White Mountain cantata, which later began to be called The Hymn, for the Hlahol Choir.
It’s too difficult for our ensemble, but we’ll play the prelude at least.
Antonín, your cantata is a truly impressive piece.
Alfred. The King of England, who overthrew the Danish rule. I’ll compose an opera about him!
This shall be better. A Czech tale. King and Charcoal Burner!
Mr. Conductor, the theatre can have my opera.
5.
The Lark
With success came also public recognition from the Czechs.
My dearest Annie, you’re as lovely as Rusalka, a water nymph…
The Čermáks were against her relationship with a poor musician, but when her husband died, Annie’s mother consented to the marriage.
I love Annie with all my heart.
Antonín’s little piece – a song called The Lark – was published. Everybody could sing it at the piano. Larks would thus chirrup both in parlours and in the fields.
Antonín would meet Anna Čermáková under blooming trees.
The wedding took place in the autumn. During the first months, the married couple lived at Mrs. Čermáková’s place. Annie was expecting a baby.
Tony, what is it going to be?
A new symphony.
6.
7. The King and the Charcoal Burner
Things took a new turn. His symphony was a success and he soon started a new one. Antonín also found a job as an organ player at St. Adalbert’s. The salary was low, but it gave him enough independence.
Highly esteemed City Council of Prague, I ask your office for a Certificate of Poverty so that I could apply for a scholarship in Vienna…
Otakar, my darling.
Money was sparse, but they were happy. Antonín wanted to compose something grand, a real opera.
He couldn’t afford a new libretto.
He thus composed his King and Charcoal Burner from scratch. The opera was performed in the Provisional Theatre in no time and was very successful.
Thank God – it’s done. Merry Christmas.
It didn’t take long and Antonín came up with another opera: The Stubborn Lovers – a country town tale.
Our first own home.
. Moravian Duets
The scholarship committee met in Vienna. Johannes Brahms, the famous composer, was one of its members and he immediately recognised how talented Antonín was.
We have to support that Dvorak.
I’ve been offered a scholarship of 400 florins. It’s nearly three times as much as I earn at St. Adalbert’s!
High quality music was performed at St. Adalbert’s.
…you
One of those who would listen to Antonín there was Leoš Janáček; a young organ playing school student and later a world famous composer.
With pleasure! I admire your work!
Antonín started teaching music in the family of Jan Neff, a wealthy entrepreneur. To give variety to their homemade concert, he composed a series of songs for two women’s voices – Moravian Duets.
8
have to tell me more about Moravian folk songs. Let’s go for a beer.
The Dvořáks had another child. The baby-girl, however, died within two days. The family was deeply touched by the tragedy. Antonín poured out his grief into a string quintet.
This part is too sad, I’ll change it.
Antonín left a long, serious passage out of the quintet. And he revised another chamber piece – a string quartet in E minor. He named it Nocturno, music with the atmosphere of the night.
It was the winning piece in a competition organised by the Artists’ Union.
Czech patriots loved everything Slavic back then. Antonín’s next opera was therefore a tale of Vanda, a Polish Princess, who refuses to marry a German ruler.
In the summer, Antonín brought another part of Moravian Duets with him to the summer house of the Neffs.
This part needs a much bigger orchestra and chorus. Reciting it will have to do.
And in the autumn, his wife gave birth to a lovely baby-girl called Rosie.
You’re everything to me!
I don’t like it much. I must find a better libretto for my next opera.
9.
Vanda
10. Stabat Mater
Antonín applied for a scholarship in Vienna again and sent his Moravian Duets to the committee. Playing in the organ loft was too time-consuming and so in the spring of 1877 he left his organist post.
In early July, Dvořák and Janáček roamed the Czech countryside. They enjoyed its beauty, sought new themes and discussed things.
Homeland is a great golden harp, its strings waiting to be struck…
A lovely rose in bloom in a garden of Kralohrad…
He wrote a new opera, The Cunning Peasant.
In August, his little Rosie died being less than a year old.
Sadly, those were the last happy moments of that summer.
The Neffs invited Antonín to their summer house again. He went there to forget about his grief.
In the meantime in Prague, little Otakar fell ill as well.
That’s Čelakovský!
Written by Adolf Heyduk… Bravo! Bravo!
Early September dealt a tragic blow: the death of 3 -year old Otakar.
Dvořák suddenly stood at the bottom of a gloomy abyss – the only thing that kept him alive was his wife and faith in God. He returned to a piece he had started composing earlier: Stabat Mater, a mournful choral composition about Mother of God, Mary, lamenting for her son, Jesus.
Antonín put all his grief into the music. The result of this was a composition that touches everybody’s heart.
Stabat Mater dolorosa iuxta Crucem lacrimosa, dum pendebat Filius.
Cuius animam gementem, contristatam et dolentem pertransvivit gladius.
At the Cross her station keeping, stood the mournful Mother weeping, close to her Son to the last.
Through her heart, His sorrow sharing, all His bitter anguish bearing, now at length the sword has passed.
The Dvořáks left their old flat, which was fraught with the tragedy they’d experienced. The end of the year was lit up with good news: Annie was pregnant.
and an important letter arrived from Vienna…
11. Slavonic Rhapsodies
Johannes Brahms took a fancy to Antonín’s Moravian Duets.
…I am grateful for your interest and help. I enclose a few more compositions…
People would enjoy performing music at home in those days and buy scores for their own concerts. Antonín became famous even abroad almost overnight and his pieces were in great demand.
…do compose more Slavonic music. People like it, it’s exotic. Yours, Fritz Simrock.
…Dear Mr Dvořák, I have written to the Berlin publisher Simrock about your Duets.
In June 1878 , daughter Otilia was born. Old sorrows had gone and everything was going well.
The first concert of only Dvořák’s music was held in Prague’s Žofín.
Antonín created new piano pieces – dances on Slavonic themes – while roaming around the Bohemian Forest with his friends.
A few days later, Antonín became a committee member of a famous Czech association, the Artists’ Union.
He started to travel frequently between Berlin and Vienna, visiting friends who would in turn pay visits to the Dvořáks.
It’s even nicer than in Vienna.
You have to try Annie’s apple pie.
12. Slavonic Dances
Antonín’s music was popular all over Europe. It was played for the most demanding audiences of large cities: in Vienna, Hamburg, even in the capital of the then world’s superpower – London. His music reached even the New World – the United States.
Who is that Dworzak? Is he Polish?
Austrian.
No, Czech. It was like fireworks of musical ideas.
Both old and new friends kept visiting Prague: Composer Brahms, publisher Simrock or violin virtuoso Joachim.
What do you think of our station, Fritz?
…we’ve heard Anton Dvorak’s Slavonic Dances. Are there going to be more such brilliant pieces?
The flat was a bit cramped after the birth of little Annie, so they moved into a bigger one.
Everybody admired Dvořák and wished to meet him in person.
I’m tired now. Let’s have a beer at U Vejvodů here.
I’m so glad, my dearest daughter, that we all live in the same house.
The Dvořáks spent the summer of 1880 in Vysoká near Příbram. The local farm and the manor house in the park belonged to Count Kounic, their brother-in-law.
I don’t feel like going back to the city.
Czech King Charles IV
13. The Stubborn Lovers
Viennese tenor Gustav Walter asked Antonín for new songs.
Dvořák visited the poet Adolf Heyduk, an acquaintance of his.
I’d like to set your Gypsy Tunes collection to music. But I need it in German.
And one of the most performed songs in the world came into being: ‘Songs My Mother Taught Me.’
Dear Sir, please write something for me. I’ll be honoured. I shall translate it myself.
In the spring of 1881 , Czech artists were preparing new works for the National Theatre, which was to open soon.
Antonín was recommended a libretto written by Marie Červinková. She was the granddaughter of the famous historian František Palacký.
In August, however, the National Theatre was turned to ashes. The Dvořáks had a third daughter – Magdalena.
Madie, the Czechs won’t give up. They shall build their theatre again.
As early as in September there was a charity concert for the restoration of the National Theatre, which included Dvořák’s Serenade in E major. And the Stubborn Lovers opera was staged in the New Czech Theatre.
This shall be for our new National one!
Als die alte Mutter sang...
Set this tale from Russian history into music.
Dimitrij… A great opera for the National Theatre!
Antonín worked hard throughout the summer of 1882 on his grand opera from Russian history. The singers as well as the chorus did their best during the rehearsals. The premiere of the tale about a false tsar, boyar scheming and hidden passion left the audience literally speechless.
Breath-taking!
Amazing!! Magnificent!
Bedřich Smetana introduced The Devil’s Wall opera in the same year. He was already ill and unable to see to the quality of the performance. His opera was not particularly successful.
The supporters of the two Czech geniuses started an unnecessary rivalry.
Dvořák’s robbed Smetana of success!
He’s borrowed from foreign composers.
A few days later, Dvořák’s opera was staged abroad for the first time. The Cunning Peasant was a success in Dresden.
Antonín was also appointed an honorary member of the Artists’ Union in Prague for his contribution to modern Czech music.
Yet fate inflicted a new blow amidst the well-earned ovations: Antonín’s mother died.
14. Dimitrij
Don’t be ridiculous. Prove it!
We are very sorry that you could not attend the concert at which your quartet was performed…
The United Kingdom was the most important country in the world back then. And its capital, London, was a most busy place indeed.
We
Dvořák was awoken from his mourning in the spring of 1883 , when his son Antonín was born.
While Dvořák and Janáček were roaming the Bohemian Forest, the management of the Royal Philharmonic Society was preparing an invitation.
On Sunday, November 18 , the new National Theatre was opened. The afternoon ceremony was full of music by Czech composers, but Antonín was already thinking about English phrases.
British music lovers were mesmerised by Antonín’s Stabat Mater and wanted to meet its author in person.
Sir, we would be most honoured if you would accept our invitation…
15.
From the Bohemian Forest
expected you to be present at the rendition of your symphony…
…and now Antonín Dvořák’s Hussite Overture…
Ladies and Gentlemen, I feel honoured…
16. Hussite Overture
In March 1884, accompanied by a younger colleague, Antonín traveled to the most powerful country in the world.
He was welcomed in London by his publisher Alfred Littleton.
They’ve got electric lights here! Amazing!
The gala night at Mr. Littleton’s place was very entertaining; the music didn’t stop until the morning.
You must honour us with a visit, Sir!
Two days later, a concert of Dvořák’s music was held. It was a great success.
The greatest event of the season!
Czech Anton Dvorak as bright as the sun in the sky!
He went to England again later in the summer and was appointed an Honorary Member of the Royal Philharmonic Society.
He conducted his Stabat Mater under the vault of Worcester Cathedral.
After his arrival, Antonín bought a little house on his brother-in-law’s estate in Vysoká near Příbram.
And in Berlin, his Hussite Overture paid homage to Bohemia and its history.
The British fell in love with Dvořák’s music and Antonín visited England several more times in the following years. He paid a lot of attention not only to the repertoire of his concerts, but also to his detailed travel itineraries.
We’re going via Nuremberg and Brussels…
He was able to speak and write decent English within two years and London became his second home.
He liked to visit museums and exhibition halls on his travels.
Great music festivals at which famous composers presented their pieces would be held in England in those days.
There’s Holborn behind us, Covent Garden on the left. And over here –the British Museum.
Antonín set The Spectre’s Bride poem by Karel Jaromir Erben to music for this occasion.
And one such annual festival used to take place in Birmingham.
The English loved the gloomy tale about the spectre and his bride. The spooky atmosphere of the piece was amplified by the stormy weather on that day.
17. Saint Ludmila
For a festival in Leeds, Dvořák wanted to compose a piece about Princess Ludmila with lyrics by the poet Jaroslav Vrchlický.
When Otakar grew a little older, Anna was able to visit England as well at last, in the autumn of 1886 .
They had plenty of time, so they could enjoy trips and their friends.
A letter from Leeds, they don’t want a Czech history theme. I won’t change anything. Will you come with me?
Famous Scottish composer Alexander Mackenzie enjoyed spending time with Antonín in silence.
The English found the purely Czech theme truly foreign. St. Ludmila thus was not such a success as Dvořák’s previous compositions.
But Antonín did not renounce England. He valued the local audience, who appreciated and loved him.
Shakespeare’s Birthplace!
18. Mass in D major
Some pieces of art would have never come into being had it not been for a late 19 th century benefactor –builder Josef Hlávka. He was struggling with a serious illness, but despite that thought about elevating the Czech national spirit and invested a lot of money into realising his dreams.
It was at his instigation that Dvořák composed a mass for his chapel built in the municipality of Lužany.
The house in Vysoká was Antonín’s joy of his life. He looked after the building, planted trees and bred pigeons.
Let’s put the pear tree here.
He would meet with the locals and tell them about his travels.
And this Lord in Worcester told me…
When the famous Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky came to Prague, he also visited the Dvořáks.
Anton, do come to Russia.
Very gladly.
…harmony in the thinking of Dvořák and Tchaikovsky –proof of their Slavic affinity!
Marie Červinková brought her libretto for the Jacobin, a new opera.
Antonín set to work on it with great enthusiasm. He liked the story about coming back home, because although he loved travelling, he enjoyed coming home even more.
They should have mentioned how he liked mum’s burgers.
It’s a tale from the end of the 18th century, set in Bohemia.
A new opera masterpiece was born: A tale about a strong desire to return home, about music rooted in Czech hearts.
Dvořák was officially awarded for his artistic merits: he became Third Class Knight of the Order of the Iron Crown.
In Moscow and St. Petersburg he conducted concerts of emotionally dramatic compositions that were especially well suited to the tastes of Slavic audiences.
19.
The Jacobin
Roaming the foreign lands…
20. Requiem
Antonín’s Berlin publisher kept asking him for small compositions only.
I do not want a symphony, the score would not sell well. Yours, Fritz Simrock.
You should send the new symphony to London. It was so successful in England.
Dvořák offered his latest symphony to the publisher Littleton, along with his work in progress Requiem, a Latin mass for the dead.
I shall try to publish them, but the Requiem will not sell well. It needs too many performers.
Lacrimosa dies illa, Qua resurget ex favela Judicandus homo reus.
Time proved the publisher wrong. Dvořák’s Requiem became one of the most impressive pieces of its kind – alongside those of Mozart, Berlioz and Verdi.
Symphony no. 8 in G major (‘English Symphony’)
In 1891 , the academic senate of the famous University of Cambridge awarded Antonín with an honorary doctorate.
The Czechs were not behind for long and Charles University awarded Dvořák’s contribution with an honorary title.
Two major schools were interested in his teaching skills: Prague Conservatory and the National Conservatory of Music of America in New York. Antonín needed some time to decide.
He went to England in the meantime and conducted the premiere of his Requiem in Birmingham.
His Requiem was a huge success and the experts called it one of the world’s best compositions ever.
Only G.B. Shaw, the famous writer, had a different opinion. However, nobody took his biting remarks seriously.
Pie Jesu Domine, Dona eis requiem sempiternam. Amen.
An amazing rendition of a religious text.
I’m enthralled.
I’m so moved that I can’t speak.
I prefer actual death to listening to music about it.
21.
Te Deum
Antonín eventually opted for Prague Conservatory.
Jeanette Thurber, a benefactor from New York, didn’t want to abandon her dream of nurturing a new generation of American composers. She kept urging Dvořák to accept the post of the director at the conservatory which she had founded herself.
We’ll go, it’ll be a new experience. My salary will make us all financially secure.
We shouldn’t take all the children with us, we don’t know what to expect.
They’ll stay with our relatives and join us in the summer.
Among his students were also famous composers of the future: Josef Suk, Oskar Nedbal, Vítězlav Novák.
I believe that educating young Americans shall give you joy…
…this amount shall be paid to you prior to your arrival.
The Americans asked Dvořák for a composition for the 400 th anniversary of the discovery of America. They were too late to send the words though, so Dvořák set to music the Te Deum hymn – Thee, O God.
And he did his best to hand his experience over to them.
Antonín had taken part in a concert tour in Czech towns before his departure.
Then there was saying farewell to the family. Four children stayed in Vysoká with their grandma.
Good-bye, Dad.
We’re honoured to wish Mr Dvořák a save journey.
See you soon, children.
22.
23. The American Flag
The Dvořáks travelled over the ocean exactly 400 years after the voyage of Christopher Columbus. Antonín was the only family member who coped well with the rough sea. They reached America in ten days.
New York welcomed the Dvořáks in a magnificent manner: parades, banquets, concerts. It was Columbus, of course, who was being celebrated.
Dear Annie, Dad was in the newspapers… …he starts teaching on Monday. His students are talented, but awfully unkempt…
Antonín was impressed by the American effort to make the beauty of music accessible also to the poor.
We’ve found a nice flat. You’ll like it.
And tomorrow the same concert for workers – no admission fee.
An exemplary attitude! Very inspiring.
It did not take long and he completed another composition for his hosts – the American Flag cantata.
From the New World
The family was torn apart and feeling sad.
…be obedient and careful with money.
Antonín began to put both his American impressions and memories of home into a new symphony.
Steamboats are as interesting as locomotives.
Children! Dad!
They spent just a few days in New York.
And at the end of the same week, the whole family went on a holiday.
Cilly lives here as well. She’s teaching me English.
Mum!
And in the May of 1893, Otakar, Anna, Magdalena and little Aloisia arrived at last.
Welcome home.
Antonín’s pupil and friend Josef Kovařík invited them to Spillville in Iowa, where he lived with his family. They travelled west on the Pacific Express into the prairies, where they found a village full of Czechs.
24.
It did feel like home indeed, because in Spillville there lived people originally from South Bohemia.
Antonín played the organ in St. Wenceslas church, went for walks and made friends with the settlers.
Professor, listen, the Cherokees are singing their songs.
I haven’t heard birds singing in eight months!
In August, Dvořák went to Chicago for the World’s Fair and attended the Czech Day programme.
On the way back to New York, he visited Minnehaha Falls.
It’s named after the wife of the Indian…
We
…Hiawatha. I know the tale. What an opera it could be!
Duty called again; his children returned to school and Antonín to the National Conservatory.
Otakar, order something and don’t disturb us.
Sir, I’d be honoured if I could conduct the premiere of your symphony.
The whole autumn was devoted to the preparation of a piece which Dvořák dedicated to America: Symphony no. 9 in E minor, From the New World.
are so proud of you!
25. T he ‘American’ Quartet
On December 16, 1893 , the notes of the New World Symphony were heard for the first time. The ecstatic audience loudly applauded as early as after the first movement. And after the Largo, Antonín had to come out on the stage!
I can feel the hustle and bustle of New York.
I sense distant, undiscovered worlds.
I can hear my mother’s songs…
Dvořák was celebrated in America and his admirers would have loved to carry him on their shoulders. And some of them expressed their enthusiasm in an unusual manner.
I see the carts of the settlers in the prairie…
The unique success of the New World Symphony brought money to a lot of people. Antonín himself, however, was deeply worried about the future of his family.
I don’t want to worry you, but the school hasn’t paid me for two months.
Daddy, look. A DVORAK watch!
Yes, Dad knows about that, he gave them his permission.
Don’t trouble yourself. We’ll go to Bohemia in the summer and time will tell.
Another DVORAK bowtie!
Dvořák launches a new era of music!
26. String Quintet in E-flat major
The dazzle of his American fame reached even Europe. The publishers started accepting all Dvořák’s compositions without former objections. The New World Symphony and his chamber pieces were published in Berlin, including Sonatina in G major dedicated to his children.
Antonín was increasingly pleased with his students. He did his utmost to make sure that also black students were admitted to the conservatory.
He’s very talented and has a lovely voice.
He loved listening to them – to their religious gospel songs.
He organised a public performance of a piece by his student Maurice Arnold.
Dear Maurice, your Plantation Dances are marvellous.
I had no idea that black people were able to compose music.
But then very sad news reached Antonín.
It’s time we stopped being prejudiced.
I’m sorry to talk about this, but I haven’t been paid again.
Sir, our country has been plunged into a financial crisis.
I shall personally make sure, however, that you will be paid to the last cent.
A telegram arrived. Your father has died.
27. Biblical Songs
Hear, oh Lord, hear my prayer hide thou not from my plea, perceive and hear me, for I mourn in my lament and I am in pain.
It seems that Antonín had foreseen the demise of his father. He completed his cycle of Biblical Songs just before his death. He set to music three thousand year old texts which give comfort to all those who seek it.
Mrs Thurber wanted to keep Antonín in New York at any cost. She knew that his work at the Conservatory was extremely beneficial to the newly emerging American music. She persuaded him to sign a new contract for another year.
Enjoy your summer, Mr Director!
Blimey!
The spring of 1894 was full of sorrow and pain. The Dvořáks had serious financial problems.
I am very sorry, but I shall have to openly disclose my situation.
In May, Antonín and his wife and children returned to Bohemia for a holiday. They were welcomed in a memorable way.
Back home after two years!
Long live Dvořák!
A Chinese lantern procession was organized in Vysoká.
Many a story was told.
…there’s
Antonín bought a lovely gift for the little church in Třebsko, which he used to visit in the summer: a new organ.
That’s the famous composer.
God bless our Antonín Dvořák!
a staircase in the head of the Statue of Liberty…
In October, Dvořák set out to New York again. He didn’t want to expose his whole family to financial insecurity, so he only took his wife and Otakar with him.
…it’s dawn here, I’m thinking of you, as you’re at school now… …we have a puppy. Tony, be careful on the skates… …Otla and Annie, enjoy the dance lessons…
Where’s Tony? He didn’t come?
Hello, boys!
… 6,000 kisses to you. I’m writing some cello music now…
Dear sister and brother-in-law, my illness is getting worse, I stay in the house now…
Only music could express his homesickness. One of the most beautiful Dvořák’s compositions was being created – Cello Concerto in B minor.
No further insistence from Mrs Thurber managed to keep Antonín in New York. In April he said farewell to the city in which he had been teaching for three years.
Our Lord so great and worthy of all praise, His greatness cannot be told.
And we deliver to Thee, oh Lord, our sister Josephine…
The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He maketh me lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside still waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness, for His name’s sake.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.
Cello Concerto in B minor
In the autumn, Dvořák returned to his students in Prague. He could be seen walking with them in the streets every day.
Walk me to the station.
Don’t tell anyone that I can’t walk in the street alone.
Gladly, Professor.
What a beauty! It’ll run tomorrow.
He started having a phobia of open spaces. Perhaps his head was so full of music that he would get lost in it… Or was it a consequence of his childhood memories of the fire?
The Dvořáks celebrated 1895 Christmas together again.
Young English virtuoso Leo Stern offered to come to Prague in order to study the new cello concerto under the supervision of Antonín himself.
I love this city. I’ll start studying Czech!
In the New Year, Antonín conducted a concert with a new orchestra, which later became known both at home and abroad as the Czech Philharmonic.
It’s good. But it has to be better still!
The result of it all was a successful London premiere on March 19, 1896 .
This was the most beautiful cello concerto ever!
28.
29. The Wild Dove
As many a time before, Dvořák returned to his beloved Czech poetry. He composed the symphonic poems The Water Goblin, The Noon Witch and The Golden Spinning Wheel to the verses of Karel Jaromír Erben.
Round the woods, past the field, lo, a nobleman comes forth. Feel the rhythm of the verse, recite it…
In Vienna later that year, Dvořák met Anton Bruckner, another world famous composer.
We have a lot in common.
A lot of close friends left Antonín for ever in those days.
Tchaikovsky, Bruckner, Brahms, Bendl and Josephine… Dear friends, may God give you eternal joy.
The gloomy atmosphere was dispersed with happier events: Leoš Janáček staged Dvořák’s Wild Dove in Brno.
It’s a pity we haven’t met before.
And Dvořák’s eldest daughter Otilia married Josef Suk, his most talented pupil.
And on the same day, Anna and Antonín celebrated their Silver Wedding anniversary.
30. The Devil and Kate
The 19 th century was coming to an end. Europe kept discovering new personalities in science and culture, new artistic trends, technologies and even sport. Dvořák was interested in all of that.
Come on, lads!
Dvořák intended to set to music the story of Hiawatha in New York. At home, however, he chose a libretto by Adolf Wenig based on a fairy tale about sharp-tongued Kate and a stupid devil.
How is the devil supposed to sing?! How is he going to carry her, Wenig?!
Alright, and now try to sing!
Mankind welcomed the last year of the old century.
Dvořák’s merriest opera is pervaded with playful mood. The National Theatre had taken great care to stage it – it was performed towards the end of 1899 .
…Marie Curie discovers a new chemical element with mysterious properties in Paris. She calls it…
…talented conductor Gustav Mahler performs Hero’s Songs by the renowned and world famous Antonín Dvořák.
Rusalka
The success of his latest opera was encouraging. Antonín wanted to compose another one. He advertised that he was looking for a new libretto and Jaroslav Kvapil responded.
I’ve moved Andersen’s Little Mermaid into a Czech environment.
I like that. A water goblin, a water nymph – Rusalka… Just like in Erben.
I’ve made some coffee for you.
If it hadn’t been for the article, I wouldn’t have dared come to you.
Dvořák’s flat turned into a fairytale realm. The whole family helped him overcome minor creative snags and the world famous opera was being born at Sunday lunches.
Should the three wood nymphs sing together? It shouldn’t be too long.
So he’s died.
The Prince.
Oh God! Who?
I used to call my wife Rusalka.
And we have the name!
The timeless story of love and self-sacrifice was hugely successful both in Bohemia and abroad. The lovely aria about the Moon is on the concert repertoires of many a world famous soprano.
You’re my Rusalka…
31.
Humoresques
Six months before his 60 th birthday, Dvořák was appointed a member of the Upper House in Vienna. He travelled there with Anna and poet Emil Frída, also known as Jaroslav Vrchlický, who was decorated there as well.
I don’t know. Too many mosquitos in the summer…
It says here, Mr Frída, that you were born in 1853 I thought you were older than Antonín.
Mr Frída had booked rooms for everyone in a stylish hotel.
Good morning! Where did you sleep?
At architect Hlávka’s place. I played the piano until midnight!
It’s too luxurious. We’ll sleep somewhere else.
Both artists visited the Upper House and took an oath.
Too much talking. But I’ve been given parliamentary pencils. I’ll write notes with them.
What was it like?
32.
South Bohemia is so beautiful…
Upon his return to Prague, Antonín was appointed Director of Prague Conservatory. So many people would have done anything to enjoy even a fraction of Dvořák’s fame. The modest composer, however, wasn’t in favour of banquets and speeches. He loved the quiet of nature.
A big celebration was held in his native Nelahozeves.
Antonín’s birthday was commemorated in Vienna, London, New York and Berlin. And a huge crowd gathered below his windows in Prague –people enthusiastically chanted the composer’s name.
Long live Dvořák!
Vivat Dvořák!
And daughter Magda sang her dad’s Biblical Songs there.
Oh, tell them to be quiet now…
Celebrated Sir, please accept this laurel wreath…
…and the work of Master Dvořák beats with a Slavic heart!
Armida
Antonín was tired by the celebrations and wanted to start working again as soon as possible.
He accepted a new libretto by Jaroslav Vrchlický. It was a story about the love between the knight Rinaldo and the beautiful Armida from the Crusades era. The plot was complicated and Antonín had to force himself to work on it at first. But then he got completely absorbed in it.
I have to see Frída, Otakar shall go with me.
Off to Prague again? You should take it easy. Be careful.
When Antonín completed Armida, he started planning Horymír, a new opera based on an old Czech legend.
Shorten it a bit. It’s too long.
I can’t. It’d destroy the plot.
It was a dark era. I’d like to capture the Orient in my music.
My first grandson: Joe Suk.
There’ll be miners like you in Horymír – and a mine on the stage!
33.
The Armida rehearsals didn’t go well. The conductors kept changing. The atmosphere in the National Theatre was tense.
Gentlemen, thank you. Let’s call it a day…
The management of the theatre settled the dispute, but there were other problems: the main protagonist fell ill and the costumes didn’t fit. The opening night came at last.
No, not yet. Go through the first part again!
The doctor diagnosed him with urethritis. Antonín spent April in bed and didn’t go out until May 1, 1904 .
You’re undermining my authority, I’m leaving!
I must go home, I don’t feel well.
I feel dizzy. I’ll go to bed.
Daddy!
Antonín!
I’ve missed the sun.
So am I, you’re undermining my opera!
