Antonín Dvořák: Music Across Borders
How can a composer write music that sounds new while drawing on older traditions? Antonín Dvořák found many answers during a life of listening, playing, and composing. His music grew from his Czech surroundings, his study of other composers, and encounters with musicians far from home.
Dvořák was born on September 8, 1841, in Nelahozeves, a village in what is now the Czech Republic. As a boy, he learned to play the violin. Music was part of village life, and he heard it at church, at celebrations, and in other everyday settings. Later, he moved to Prague to study music. He played the viola in an orchestra, gaining experience with the many instruments and sounds a composer could combine.
A composer creates music by choosing and arranging elements such as melody, rhythm, and harmony. A melody is a tune; rhythm is the pattern of beats and sounds. Harmony happens when different notes sound together. Dvořák became skilled at shaping these elements for orchestras, small groups, and singers.
- composer:
- A person who creates music.
- orchestra:
- A large group of musicians who play different instruments together.
- traditions:
- Ways of doing things that are passed from one generation to another.
- spirituals:
- Religious songs that are part of an African American musical tradition.
- arranger:
- A person who adapts a piece of music for voices or instruments.
- influential:
- Having an important effect on other people or their work.
- transform:
- To change something into a new form.
One passage, many ways to practice
Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Vocabulary
Practice words from the passage with a printable worksheet.
Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
Fix the Sentence
Practice editing sentences drawn from this passage with a printable worksheet.
Ready to use this passage in class?
Start free with the Mixed worksheet and 3 PDF downloads each week. Focused skill sets depend on plan.
Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1How did Dvořák's village experiences and orchestra work help shape him as a composer?
- 2What details show that Dvořák drew on Czech traditions without simply copying them?
You Might Also Like
About this explanatory article passage for Upper Elementary
“Antonín Dvořák: Music Across Borders” is a explanatory article reading passage about Music and cultural exchange, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (496 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.