Music: Czech's Anniversary

The centenary of the birth of Czech Composer Antonin Dvorak was celebrated last week. In London, Eduard Benes and members of the Czech Government attended Dvorak memorial concerts in Albert Hall. But in what is now the protectorate of Bohemia the birthday went virtually without public notice.

In Bohemia, orchestras are no longer allowed to play Dvorak's bouncing Slavonic Dances, his mournful Dumky (elegies), his evocations of Bohemia's folklore. For Dvorak's nationalist music speaks patriotically plain to Czech hearts.*

Although Dvorak accepted honors from Emperor Franz Josef (he was the first musician to sit...

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