Dvořák’s Songs in the Care of Kateřina Kněžíková

As its name suggests, the Dvořák Collection concert series is our dedicated space for presenting the works of Antonín Dvořák. Over the past three years, we have gradually introduced his string quartets; this year, the focus shifts to his songs. The curator of this year’s series is none other than the acclaimed soprano Kateřina Kněžíková, who will appear in four distinct programmes alongside a number of guest artists.

Kateřina Kněžíková shares her vision for the series’ programming – watch the video here:

The series opens on 8 September in the Dvořák Hall of the Rudolfinum with a concert titled A Tribute to the Songs of Antonín Dvořák. Do you also love the song Songs My Mother Taught Me? Then don’t miss this! The programme features two of Dvořák’s most beautiful song cycles – Gypsy Songs and Love Songs – presented in brand new orchestral arrangements by Jiří Gemrot, performed by the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Robert Jindra.

Let’s also pause at the second evening in the series, titled Poetry from Dvořák’s Time, which takes place on 12 September in the Suk Hall. The programme includes Moravian Duets by Antonín Dvořák and Duets by Johannes Brahms, performed by Kateřina Kněžíková and mezzo-soprano Bella Adamova.

Dvořák’s friend, mentor, and long-time artistic companion Johannes Brahms had a deep interest in song composition. It is no surprise that the foundation of their enduring friendship was laid by Dvořák’s Moravian Duets. But let us take a brief step further back in time.

Starting in 1875, Dvořák applied to the Ministry of Culture and Education in Vienna for a state grant for young, underprivileged artists. He was awarded the highest possible sum—400 gulden—a small fortune for his family at the time. He succeeded five years in a row. Among the jury members deciding on the grants was none other than Johannes Brahms, who joined the panel from Dvořák’s second application onward.

From the very beginning, Brahms recognised Dvořák’s exceptional talent and would go on to become his lifelong friend. It was Brahms who helped launch Dvořák’s international career by recommending the Moravian Duets to his Berlin publisher, Simrock. For the then 36-year-old Dvořák, this was the beginning of a new artistic and personal chapter: his music was published abroad for the first time and met with enthusiastic acclaim. Simrock soon became Dvořák’s main publisher, ultimately releasing the majority of his works.