Jan Branberger

“ The unquestioned merits of his many and varied works, warrant his recognition as the founder of the modern Bohemian school of composition.
Smetana’s heir as a worthy representative of the purely slavonic in musical composition, was Antonín Dvořák, whose name is well known in England where his fame is acknowledged by the frequent performance of many of his best works by the principal choral and orchestral societies. Dvořák’s start in life was very humble, he had more difficulties to overcome in the pursuit of education than the majority even of music’s least favoured sons. ”

“ While the Bohemians have always endeavoured to contribute their share to the advancement of art and science, it is in the department of music that they have won a most distinguished place in the front rank of civilized nations. In this art, Bohemian have been prominent from ancient times; not only as composers but as solo and orchestral performers on all kinds of musical instruments. ”

“ To the end of the eighteenth century and the early part of the nineteenth, the leadership in all that pertained to the art, was acknowledged by the musical world to be in the masterly hands of Beethoven and Mozart. Numbered in the ranks of their enthusiastic followers in Bohemia were the leading national composers ”