Publisher, Naxos Audiobooks (April 2004)

One of the best loved composers of all time, Dvorák rose from rural origins to become not only a great but an influential composer. The first composer to put his native Bohemia on the musical map of the world, he was invited to do the same for America. One result was the famous ‘New World’ Symphony, which made him a household name across the globe. Writing music of irresistible colour, lilt and peasant vitality, he was also a melodist-in-a-million. This portrait-in-sound follows a lovable and in many ways a very simple man from haycart to imperial palace, from tragic loss to heart-warming joy, to pigeon-raising and world celebrity.

About the Author: Jeremy Siepmann has contributed articles, reviews and interviews to numerous journals and reference works, including New Statesman, The Musical Times, Gramophone and BBC Music Magazine. His books include a widely acclaimed biography of Chopin, The Reluctant Romantic. His career as a broadcaster began with a radio series on the life and work of Mozart, described by Alistair Cooke as ‘the best music program on American radio’. He has devised, written, and presented more than 1,000 programmes, including the international award-winning series The Elements of Music.