By the time Dvorák was 30, his attention turned completely to private teaching and composing. He wed former student Anna Cermakova, completed his Third Symphony, and reaped many musical rewards in the form of financial and competitive success. Dvorák repeatedly won the competition for the Austrian State Stipendium and with this, Johannes Brahms (a juror) recommended him to his own publisher. He gained popularity almost instantly with his Slavonic Dances (1878) and from then on, Dvorak’s name was synonymous with brilliant composer and musical genius.

As comfortable as his life was, Dvorák suffered the loss of three of his children and was a target of anti-Czech feelings from Brahms and his publisher. They suggested he move to Vienna or Berlin and publish his works with German titles. Dvorak silenced them when he received an honorary doctorate from Cambridge University. He became director at the National Conservatory of Music in New York, composing a number of works, including his famous 9th Symphony (from New World Symphony) (1893). Before he died back in his homeland, further travels took him to Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada and upon viewing this splendor, exclaimed, “ What a symphony in B minor that will be!” Although some aspects of his music show American influence, echoes of Dvorák’s love for his homeland clearly reverberate in his colorful harmonies, influenced by the richest of the Czech folk melodies.