What is Antonín Dvořák?
{{otheruses|Antonín Dvořák|the Dvorak keyboard|Dvorak keyboard}} [[File:dvorak.jpg|thumb|right|Antonín Dvořák]] '''Antonín Leopold Dvořák''' (8 September 1841 {{ndash}} 1 May 1904) was a [[Czech Republic|Czech]] [[composer]]. Along with [[Bedřich Smetana|Smetana]] and [[Leoš Janáček|Janáček]], Dvorak is one of three famous composers who wrote nationalist Czech music. He wrote [[chamber music]] including several [[string quartet]]s, [[piano]] music, [[song]]s, [[opera]]s, [[oratorio]]s and nine [[symphony|symphonies]]. The last of his symphonies is known as the ''New World'' Symphony because he wrote it in the [[United States]] (the “New World”). The slow movement with its solo played on the [[oboe|cor anglais]] is especially famous. == Life == === Youth === Dvořák was born in a village near [[Prague]], [[Czechoslovakia]] (Today [[Prague]] is the [[Capital (city)|capital]] city of the [[Czech Republic]]) but in those days it was part of the [[Austrian Empire]] until 1867 after the [[Austro-Prussian War Of 1866]] when it became [[Austria-Hungary]] . His father was a [[butcher]] and [[innkeeper]]. He also played the [[zither]] and composed a few simple dances. The young Antonín started to have [[violin]] lessons from the village schoolmaster. Soon he was playing the violin in his father’s inn, in local churches and in the village [[band]]. Just before his 12th birthday he left school and started to learn how to be a butcher. A year later he left home to go to school in Zlonice. He learned a lot about music there, and he also learned [[German language|German]]. His teacher persuaded Dvořák's parents that he should have a musical career, so they sent him to study music in Prague at the Organ School. He continued to learn German, and he became a good [[viola]] player and played in concerts and in the [[Estates Theatre]] when they needed a big orchestra for [[Richard Wagner|Wagner’s]] operas ''[[Lohengrin (opera)|Lohengrin]]'' and ''[[Tannhäuser]]''. === Early career === When Dvořák had finished his studies he got