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THE COMPOSER
THE COMPOSER
Antonin Dvořák (1841-1904) was born in rural Poland and moved to Prague at sixteen to study music. After working for a while as a violinist and violist, he became increasingly interested in composition and found rapid success after encouragement from Brahms.
From 1892 to 1895, Dvořák was the director of the National Conservatory in New York. This position inspired compositions with a unique blend of American and Bohemian culture, which became some of his most celebrated pieces. As a conductor in the United States, Dvořák took on African-American students, whose experiences and culture inspired him when composing.
THE HISTORY
THE HISTORY
Shortly before the premiere of the New World Symphony , Dvořák told the New York Daily Herald that he was primarily influenced by Native and African-American culture when composing the piece, which resulted in widespread controversy in the American press.
THE MEANING
THE MEANING
Symphony No. 9 in E minor , commonly referred to as the New World Symphony , was composed while Dvořák was director of the National Conservatory .
This symphony was an important breakthrough for American culture as it was among the first pieces of classical music to validate American music and lore. Dvořák found inspiration from all subsets of American society, including African-American and Native American culture. He notably incorporated the American negro spiritual “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” - thought to refer to the Underground Railroad - into the symphony after hearing one of his students sing the tune, which they knew from their grandmother.
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