Composer, born near Prague. He was sent to the organ school in Prague in 1857, and began to earn his living from the viola. In 1877 Brahms introduced his music to Vienna, and was a great influence on him. His work, basically classical in structure, but with colourful Slavonic motifs, won increasing recognition, culminating in European acclaim for his Stabat mater (1880). By then he had written six symphonies and much chamber and piano music, and in 1891 he was offered the directorship of the New York Conservatory. In the USA he wrote his ninth symphony, the ever-popular "From the New World'. In 1895 he returned to Prague.