Antonín Dvořák is the most famous Czech composer, who raised the music of his people to a world level. The son of a village butcher, through talent and perseverance he became a classic of the national school, drawing inspiration from Czech and Slavic folklore.
His “Slavonic Dances” brought Dvořák European fame, and his most famous work — the Ninth Symphony “From the New World” (1893) — was written during his stay in the USA and absorbed the spirit of the American expanses. Dvořák created nine symphonies, a cello concerto (one of the finest in the genre), operas, and chamber music. His melodic gift, sincerity, and deep bond with folk song made his music beloved throughout the world and an inspiration for many national schools, including the Ukrainian.
