The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-02-25
THE LIFE OF ANTON DTORAK.

PRAGUE, Jan. 3O.-This gifted composer
who has suddenly achieved 80 brilliant repu-
tation. has often been spoken of as u Hunga-
rim. but this is quito erroneous. Dvorak is a
true son OF Bohemia. Slav by birth and edu-
cation. and the fresh and original melodies
which arc 50 thckly sown throughout tho
varied range OF his compositions come directly
from Slavic heart. Ono might suppose that
he had utilized national melodies so entirely
have his strains the character of, tho songs Of
his people. This is however. not tho case his
themes are perfectly original. but rs he is II
child OF the people. and grew up amid their
song. his musical thoughts and feelings are ono
with theirs
Anton Dvorak was born in 1871 in tho little
town OF MIihauscn. on the Moldau. not far
from Prague. His father was q butcher and
after the fashion OF Bohemian butchers. kept
small inn in connection with his trade. Tho
son ut a tender ago began to assist his father
in his profession to which it was intended he
should he brought up and. OF course the fire.
quent dances at the inn gave him ample OPP
portunity of hearing music. His father. who
was AN expert either player, noticed his appre-
citation of music. and. thinking that the cult
innkeeper, had him instructed by the village
scaoolmaster in violin playing and singing.
progress that he was sent to Zionit:. that he
might there. under Liehmann. add to his must
mony; and in 1856 he was sent for a year to
Kamnitz. to learn German and complete his
At the end OF this period came bitter trial
Tor Dyorak his father. having, taken counsel
with several Of his friends. decided that Anton
lession 9! = butcher, as he being tho Oldest to Of
eight children. could thereby contribute. greatly
son imp!ored SO earnestly to be exempted from
this trade, and to be- allowed, 10 devote himself
father finally yielded to his fearful entiaat"s.'
He was sent to Prague. where. under Witch
a 9sia krclei NJ made rapid proercss and was in
found it impossible TO continue their contriLu-
OF hardship followed 10 cover his most urgent r
needs l,o became ,;a, yo. blazer in one Of the
coffee houses and hotels OF Prague. and he 1 re.
NAMED M In tbs POSITION until 1862, when on
he became n member OF its orchestra thereby
His wealth q musical IDEAS clamorad for on
composition and his small! earnings could not ct
gain TnI him access to symphony and chamber
look ut tho scores OF the. works performed hero.
f Finally say nothing Of Possessing, thSm;
Denii who at once opened to him all the tr sasi
pd nis and i Tran Library From he first
ties and unmstaEabe traces OF this nrcior.
ton are to be found in his more comprehen-
siNe COMPOSITIONS: He now composed sympho-
mes; innrtets puintets. &e: but put them all
In his desk. where they still remain
IN IsiZ nc gave w his position in the or
same time APPLYING 70 tho Ministry for a
ms support Tho COMPOSITIONS with which no
accompanied his petition met with Hcrbcck's
anu Hnnslicks favor and had the desired re-
suit. His petition had been repeated and
granted during five years whom Brahms was
appointed to I'LL lIerbeck's place In the com
mission for granting stpendiums. This was n
happy circumstances for Dvordk ns Brahms Mt
once once reeognlzcd tho merit and originality of
the works subjected to his criticism, He COM
muntcnted h Is discovery to the publisher Sim.
rock. In Bnrlin who Mt oncc became the nos
positions. '
Thus. Mt last In tho .hirty-sixth year OF his
age. tho COMPOSERS days OF prooarious exist
encc suddenly came to an end and he could
from this time forth. with u quiet mind Je.
vote all his energies To composition. Iii, rem
utaton grew rapidly, until to-day there Is
harrdiy any ono not familiar with at least his
tho fashion. and in London Ills com.
nave long been favoritos. His operas have
however. until now. bonn confined 70 tho DO.
hemian stage. with the exception OF tho
Peasant Rogue" which was giyei, in Drns
den this fall, where II Was very warmly re-
GGeivca' HIS last great work, which WAS pro-
nnucen Tor inc nrst limo this fall in tho
nqmiiomllnn NATIONAL Theatre, is n grand opera
-, Deimetrius." y russian subicct--oi which tho
music nn,s ms ehisfly Russian and Polish char
prophesy great future OIL tho German stage