Antonín Leopold Dvořák entered the world on the 8th of September 1841 in Nelahozeves, a small village near Prague. His father František worked as an innkeeper and butcher while playing the zither professionally. The family home stood within walking distance of the village church of St. Andrew where young Antonín received his baptism. He was the eldest son among fourteen children born to Anna and František. Eight of those siblings survived infancy despite the hardships of rural life.
The boy showed early talent for music by age six when he began violin lessons with teacher Joseph Spitz. He played in the local village band and performed at church services during his childhood years. By 1853 at age twelve he moved to Zlonice to live with his uncle Antonín Zdeněk. This relocation allowed him to learn German language alongside his musical studies.
Liehmann taught the young boy music theory and introduced him to contemporary composers despite having a violent temper. Franz Hanke later provided more sympathetic instruction at Česká Kamenice. At sixteen Dvořák decided to pursue music as a career after receiving parental permission. He entered Prague's Organ School in September 1857 studying singing theory and organ performance simultaneously.
Graduating second in his class in 1859 he applied unsuccessfully for an organist position but remained undaunted. In 1858 he joined Karel Komzák's orchestra performing in Prague restaurants and balls. The ensemble attracted attention from Jan Nepomuk Maýr who engaged the entire group in the Bohemian Provisional Theatre Orchestra beginning in 1862. Dvořák played viola earning approximately seven dollars monthly while supplementing income through piano lessons.
The Prize That Changed Everything
Johannes Brahms sat on the jury of the Austrian State Competition when thirty-three-year-old Dvořák submitted fifteen compositions including two symphonies. The massive submission displayed what Brahms called undeniable talent despite the composer owning no piano himself. Before marriage Dvořák had lodged with five other men one of whom owned a small spinet piano. The jury awarded him financial support to ease straitened circumstances and free him from anxiety in creative work.
Brahms personally recommended Dvořák to publisher Simrock following this initial recognition. The commission resulted in Slavonic Dances Opus 46 published first as piano four hands then orchestrated. Sheet music sales reached high levels creating immediate international success. A London performance of Stabat Mater in March 1883 sparked performances across England America and Russia by 1890.
Louis Ehlert wrote in Berlin Nationalzeitung that heavenly naturalness flowed through these dances making them travel round the world. German music shops experienced runs for works by this hitherto unknown composer. Performances occurred in France England and United States during 1879 alone. Later Simrock requested additional Slavonic Dances which Dvořák supplied as Opus 72 in 1886.
The prize money allowed resignation from organist duties after winning again in 1875 and 1876. String Quartet No. 9 dedicated to Brahms appeared within December 1877 months after receiving Hanslick's letter revealing Brahms' involvement on the jury. Joachim became chief champion of chamber music while violin concerto premiered in Prague October 1883 conducted by František Ondříček.