Antonin Dvorak

Antonín Leopold Dvořák (1841-1904) was a Czech composer. Following the nationalist example of Bedřich Smetana, Dvořák frequently employed features of the folk music of Moravia and his native Bohemia (then parts of the Austrian Empire and now constituting the Czech Republic). 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'.

Among Dvořák's best known works are his New World Symphony, the "American" String Quartet, the opera Rusalka and his Cello Concerto in B minor. Among his smaller works, the seventh Humoresque and the song 'Songs my mother taught me' are also widely performed and recorded. He composed operas, choral music, a wide variety of chamber music, concerti and many other orchestral and vocal and instrumental pieces. He has been described as 'arguably the most versatile...composer of his time'.

The song Ave Maria is a setting of the traditional liturgical text and is written for a low-register voice with organ accompaniment. Dvorak wrote it while staying with his friend Alois Gobl at Sychrov castle in the summer of 1877. He dedicated the song to his wife Anna, who premiered it on her name day (26 July) in the castle chapel, accompanied by the composer at the organ. The song was first published in 1883 by Prague publisher Emanuel Stary.

Although originally written for Alto/Baritone & Organ, I created this arrangement for String Quartet (2 Violins, Viola & Cello).