Dvorák Happening

'Among the applications for grants that come in every year weighed down with scores, submitted by composers all claiming to satisfy the three basic conditions set by the authorities (youth, limited funds, and talent), most manage to meet the first two criteria but few the third. It came as a pleasant surprise when the applicant from Prague sent us evidence of an intense but as yet only half-matured compositional talent.' That was the opinion of Eduard Hanslick, considered a great authority in musical circles, when he was Chair of the Music Commission at the Bohemian ministry. Less than a decade later, the young man of whom he spoke was still without money, but his talent, previously undeveloped, had in the meantime flourished to reach such a stylistic precision that no less a person than Brahms felt compelled to make a moving plea in a letter to his publisher. He wrote: 'This boy has written almost everything: operas, symphonies, quartets, piano pieces. He is very talented, but extremely poor. I urge you to take a look at his work.' Soon after, Brahms' publisher included the young Czech's work in his catalogue. Five years later Dvorák was a brand name synonymous with gorgeous melodies, limitless elegance, sparkling orchestral works, intimist chamber music and atmospheric Lieder. Dvorák's success story is as follows: from humble beginnings as a butcher's son, he rose to become a mascot for artistic Bohemia, which brought him not only European fame, but also the post of director at the New York conservatory. More than a hundred years after his death Dvorák's music still touches us. For the tenth composer happening, deFilharmonie and deSingel have chosen Dvorák. There are three concertos, one 'symphony de luxe', Slavonic dances, a selection of songs, piano trios and string quartets, with performances by a staggering array of top soloists. We are sure that this event will be an ultimate tribute to the life and work of this star Bohemian composer.