Antonin Dvorak
...ed the viola in the Cecilia Society where he was introduced to the works of such composers as Wagner, and Schumann. Dvorak graduated from the school in 1857 second in his class. In 1859, he joined the Provisional Theatre Orchestra as the head violinist. Though this job was a steady income, Dvorak needed more money in order to live comfortably. So, he began to teach piano to a woman who later became his wife, Anna Cermakova. In 1871, Dvorak left the orchestra to compose music full time. His early works were very demanding on the artists who performed them, so he changed his style, and moved away from the Germanic classical style of music, and more towards the Slavonic streamline style. Along with teaching, Dvorak also joined the Austrian State Stipendium, which provided him with extra income. Brahms, another famous composer, was very much impressed by Dvorak’s work, and awarded him 400 guldens, which was an immense cash prize. He gained the cash prize, and a newfound friend in Brahms. Brahms put Dvorak in touch with his publishing company, Simrock. Simrock then commissioned the publishing of Dvorak’s first set of Slavonic dances. These dances established the basis for Dvorak’s fame around the world. In 1884, Dvorak began to travel widely making the first of nine visits to London. Many of what are considered his greatest works; his seventh and eighth symphonies were composed there. His seventh symphony, which is seen as his best, has a mood of tragedy overlaid with ominous and foreboding overtones, while his eighth symphony is full of flowing melodic lines, and colorful orchestrations. For the composition of these wonderful works, he also received an honorary degree from Cambridge University in London. In 1891, Dvorak was appointed professor of composition at the Prague Conservatoire. He was soon offered a position as director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York. He remained there for three years teaching underprivileged Native American, and African American children. While in America, he gained inspiration for some of his most loved works, Symphony Number Nine From the New Worl...