Antonín Dvořák and his enduring connection to Central Bohemia

Antonín Dvořák is one of the greatest musicians that Czechia has given to the world. Throughout his life, he remained firmly rooted in his native region of Central Bohemia.

The world-famous composer lived in Prague on Žitná Street, but he spent a large part of his life in Vysoká near Příbram, where he had a summer residence on the estate of his aristocratic brother-in-law, Václav Robert of Kounice. Today, the Antonín Dvořák Memorial is located there, and its director is Vojtěch Poláček:

Vysoká u Příbrami castle|Photo: Markéta Kachlíková, Radio Prague International

"Antonín Dvořák first came to this region in 1877 for a wedding that took place in the church in Příbram, which is just a short distance away through the forest. Count Václav Robert Kounic married the actress Josefina Čermáková, who was the older sister of Dvořák's wife, Anna. In fact, Dvořák was one of the witnesses at the wedding. So that was his first connection to the area."

Antonín Dvořák with his family and friends in Vysoká|Photo: J. V. Sládek, e-Sbírky, National Museum, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED

So, how important was Central Bohemia to Dvořák? Was it perhaps one of the sources of inspiration for his phenomenal music?

Antonín Dvořák’s birth house in Nelahozeves|Photo: House of Lobkowicz

"Dvořák was born in Nelahozeves, and his early experiences there likely shaped him. He grew up in an inn where music was a constant part of life. His father, František, ran the inn, and next door was the Church of St. Andrew, where Dvořák was baptized. This mix of music and spirituality followed him throughout his life. Central Bohemia, especially Vysoká, where he spent much of his time, became a significant source of inspiration. Here, he took long walks in nature, and this connection to the land and its people is evident in his compositions."

Director Poláček mentioned that Dvořák would stay in Vysoká from April to October. So, was it something like a second home for him?

Villa Rusalka, the summer residence of Antonín Dvořák|Photo: Hudební festival Antonína Dvořáka Příbram

"Most of the time, he stayed here. In fact, he even moved furniture from his apartment on Žitná Street in Prague to Vysoká. This was definitely his base. He would take the train to Příbram or Tochovice and then travel by horse-drawn carriage to Vysoká."

Perhaps Dvořák’s most famous work, Symphony No. 9 in E minor, known as the New World Symphony, was composed during his stay in the United States. Some suggest it was inspired by his homesickness for Central Bohemia. Director Vojtěch Poláček agrees this is possible:

"There are many records of how he missed his native region and Vysoká specifically. He wrote letters to his estate manager in Vysoká, asking about the garden and his neighbors. He would say the best place was simply home in Vysoká."

Villa Rusalka|Photo: Exhibition 'Antonín Dvořák - Inspiration by nature'/National Museum

Naturally, the Antonín Dvořák Memorial preserves many fascinating artifacts and written testimonies about the composer’s life:

"Dvořák had a passion for nature and birds, especially during his early morning walks. He even listened to the nightingale nesting in the Brdy hills. He was deeply rooted in the local community, playing at village dances and visiting nearby churches to play the organ. He was an integral part of life in Vysoká, not just a visitor."

"Our museum, located in the forest, mirrors Dvořák's deep connection to nature. We also serve as a cultural venue, hosting concerts and exhibitions. One of our current exhibitions, Master Butcher, debunks the myth that Dvořák was trained as a butcher, illustrating how legends can sometimes obscure the true legacy of this remarkable composer."