| Description: | Antonín Leopold Dvořák (8 September 1841 – 1 May 1904) was a Czech composer. After Bedřich Smetana, he was the second Czech composer to achieve major worldwide recognition. Following Smetana's nationalist example, Dvořák frequently employed aspects, specifically rhythms, of the folk music of Moravia and his native Bohemia. Dvořák's own style has been described as "the fullest recreation of a national idiom with that of the symphonic tradition, absorbing folk influences and finding effective ways of using them".
Dvořák took organ, piano, and violin lessons from his German-language teacher Anton Liehmann. Liehmann also taught the young boy music theory and introduced him to the composers of the time. Liehmann was the church organist in Zlonice and sometimes let Antonín play the organ at services.
After leaving for Prague in September 1857, Dvořák entered the city's Organ School, studying singing with Josef Zvonař, theory with František Blažek, and organ with Joseph Foerster. Hr graduated from the Organ School in 1859, ranking second in his class.
Dvořák later secured the job of organist at St. Vojtěch, also called St. Adalbert's, Church in Prague under Josef Foerster, his former teacher at the Organ School.
His music contains strong elements of folk-song, and has a distinctive "nationalistic" quality. He was regarded as many as being the most "versatile" composer of his time.
The 8 Preludes and Fugues were composed in 1859. These two uploaded don't necessarily "belong together," but these were the only two on IMSLP, and they work nicely as a unit.
The "Prelude (Predcházet)" has a feeling of grand solemnity about it. There is a feeling of "size" despite its brevity. The "Fughetta" is more lyrical, but stately, with a sense of calm happiness and contentment.
The two scores are attached below, as well as a photo of Anton Dvořák , and a photo of St. Adelbert's Chuch, where he served as organist. |
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