Good morning.

Today we’re listening to Antonín Dvořák, a Czech composer from just outside Prague. Born in 1841 to a zither-playing father, Dvořák exhibited prodigious talent at a young age. His compositions were inspired by Brahms (a mentor), Liszt, and Wagner, as well as by Czech folk music.¹ In 1889, Dvořák composed 13 solo piano “postcards” (Opus 85), which were popular during his lifetime but have since faded due to critics’ focus on his symphonies and concertos.² We’re playing a 2022 recording of their performance by Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes. Dvořák loved America, taking a job in Manhattan in 1892 and composing his Ninth Symphony “From the New World” there. We’re listening to a 2017 performance of that piece by the New York Philharmonic, which originally commissioned the piece in 1893.³

Poetic Tone Pictures, Op. 85 - Antonín Dvořák & Leif Ove Andsnes (60m, no vocals)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube Music / Amazon Music / Tidal

Symphony No. 9, From the New World - Antonín Dvořák & New York Philharmonic (40m, no vocals)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube Music / Amazon Music / Tidal

Have a really nice Wednesday.