Family Man

Available for 27 days

Kate Molleson uncovers Dvořák’s devotion to his nearest and dearest. Antonín Dvořák was one of the most heartfelt tunesmiths in classical music - a man who not only brought the sound of Czech folklore to the world, but also had an indelible impact on the musical nationhood of America. As a character he was sometimes shy, sometimes melancholy, routinely homesick and deeply passionate. Through the week Kate Molleson explores five windows onto Dvořák’s soul, aspects of life that were really central to his convictions and his music. Today, we learn about Dvořák’s family - one of the guiding forces in everything he did and created, from his roots in a dynasty of music-loving butchers and innkeepers, to building his own brood of six children. He wasn’t the sort of composer to lock himself away and loved nothing more than the happy chaos of his domestic life. We hear how his family inspired some of his purest music, and how they factored into some of his biggest career dilemmas. Gypsy Songs Op 55 No 4: Songs my mother taught me (arr. for cellos by Kian Soltani) Kian Soltani, cello Cellists of Staatskapelle Berlin Berceuse (Two Piano Pieces, No 1) Ivo Kahánek, piano Symphony No 1 'Bells of Zlonice' (3rd movement) Royal Scottish National Orchestra Neeme Järvi, conductor Cypresses, Nos 1 and 2 Hagen Quartett Symphony No 9 'From the New World' (2nd movement) Chineke! Orchestra Kevin John Edusei, conductor Sonatine (1st and 2nd movements) Jack Liebeck, violin Katya Apekisheva, piano Humoresque in G flat major Stephen Hough, piano Produced by Amelia Parker for BBC Audio Wales and West