In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument

Antonin Dvorak

Born: 1841. Died: 1904. Lived in: Czech

Dvorak was born in Nelahozeves near Prague where he spent most of his life. He studied music in Prague's Organ School at the end of the 1850s, and through the 1860s played viola in the Bohemian Provisional Theatre Orchestra which was from 1866 conducted by Bedoich Smetana.

From 1892 to 1895, Dvorak was director of the National Conservatory in New York City. The Conservatory was founded by a wealthy socialite, Jeannette Thurber, who wanted a well-known composer as director in order to lend prestige to her institution. She wrote to Dvorak, asking him to accept the position, and he agreed, providing that she were willing to meet his conditions: that talented Native American and African-American students, who could not afford the tuition, must be admitted for free. She agreed to his conditions, and he sailed to America.

It was during his time as director of the Conservatory that Dvorak formed a friendship with Harry Burleigh, who became an important African-American composer. Dvorak taught Burleigh composition, and in return, Burleigh spent hours on end singing traditional American Spirituals to Dvorak. Burleigh went on to compose settings of these Spirituals which compare favorably with European classical composition.

Arrangements | Recordings

Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media

Displaying 1-3 of 3 items.

Antonin Dvorak : Biblical Songs, Op.99 - High Voice

Lyrics in English only. Contents: Clouds and Darkness - Lord - Thou Art My Refuge - Hear My Prayer - God is My shepherd - I Will Sing New Songs - Hear My Prayer, - Lord - By the Waters of Babylon - Turn Thee to Me - I Will Lift Mine Eyes - Sing Ye a Joyful Song.

Songlist: God Is My Shepherd, By The Waters Of Babylon, I Will Lift Up My Eyes, Hear My Prayer (Dvorak), Clouds And Darkness, Lord, Thou Art My Refuge, I Will Sing New Songs, Turn Thee To Me, Sing Ye A Joyful Song

Antonin Dvorak : Biblical Songs, Op.99 - Low Voice

Lyris in English only. Contents: Clouds and Darkness - Lord - Thou Art My Refuge - Hear My Prayer - God is My shepherd - I Will Sing New Songs - Hear My Prayer, - Lord - By the Waters of Babylon - Turn Thee to Me - I Will Lift Mine Eyes - Sing Ye a Joyful Song.

Songlist: God Is My Shepherd, Hear My Prayer, O Lord, By The Waters Of Babylon, Hear My Prayer (Dvorak), Clouds And Darkness, Lord, Thou Art My Refuge, I Will Sing New Songs, Turn Thee To Me, Sing Ye A Joyful Song, I Will Life Mine Eyes (Dvorak)

Antonin Dvorak : Requiem, Op. 89

Antonin Dvorak's Requiem mass, scored for soprano, alto, tenor and bass solists, SATB choir and orchestra. Vocal Score edition, edited by Michael Pilkington. This edition follows the layout of the previous edition (NOV070088) which it supercedes.

Individual Folios

Displaying 1-9 of 9 items.

Antonin Dvorak : Blessed Jesu, Fount of Mercy

From Stabat Mater, which was well received by both the public and the critics when it was published in 1883. Its simple and brooding melodic lines complement the pity, sympathy, and sorrow of the text. Optional MIDI file available separately (on MIDI disk LMF-1001)

Duration 5:43

Paul Langford : Goin' Home

Goin' home, goin' home. I'm a-goin' home. Quiet-like, some still day, I'm just goin' home are the poignant lyrics famously set in a song based on the Czech composer Antonin Dvorák's famous Largo theme from his Symphony No. 9 (From the New World), Op. 95. This choral work is simple, yet rich with vocal harmonies, moving piano accompaniment and optional cello creating an emotional performance selection filled with musical opportunities.

Arranger: Paul Langford

Rollo Dilworth : Going Home

Antonín Dvorák wrote his 9th Symphony From the New World while he was the director of the National Conservatory of Music of America. He was directly influenced by Harry T. Burleigh, a student at the National Conservatory at the time. The musical theme from the Largo movement was adapted into the spiritual-like Goin' Home by Dvorák pupil William Arms Fisher. This beautiful melody along with the powerful lyrics are here set in an African American gospel style, including a quote from the spiritual Deep River.

Arranger: Rollo Dilworth | Composer: Antonin Dvorák

Earlene Rentz : Home to the Ash Grove

Earlene has combined the Welsh folk song The Ash Grove with Dvorák's Symphony No. 9, Largo. The going home theme weaves to create a beautiful concert, festival, or contest work for mixed or women's voices. Available separately: SATB, SSA, PianoTrax CD (35027473). Duration: ca. 3:02.

Arranger: Earlene Rentz | Musical: Rent

Geoffrey Mason : Many a Song

Arranger: Geoffrey Mason

Antonin Dvorak : Quietly, Peacefully

Arranged from Dvovak's New World Symphony, this beautiful melody is brought into the liturgy with a text for Lent, reconciliation, healing, funerals (separate refrain and verses). The opening eight measures form an assembly refrain, while the balance of the tune consists of choral verses.

John Leavitt : Steal Away

John Leavitt has taken a familiar melody and paired it with an earnest and pleading lyric to create this moving anthem. The English Horn part adds to both the listening and singing experience. Available separately: SATB, SAB, ChoirTrax CD. Octavo includes part for English Horn. Score and parts (eng hn, vn 1-2, va, vc, db) available as a Printed Edition and as a digital download. Duration: ca. 5:20.

Arranger: John Leavitt

Antonín Dvorák : Three Moravian Duets

Performed by the Indianapolis Children's Choir on their recent European tour, these arrangements include optional English lyrics. Use the recorded pronunciation guide to help your choir learn the original Czech.Available separately: SATB, 2-Part Treble, ChoirTrax CD and IPak. Performance Time: Approx. 4:35.

Composer: Antonín Dvorák | Country: Czech