Abstract
Mezinárodní konference, pořádaná The University of Manchester a Royal Holloway University of London ve dnech 30. 3. - 1. 4. 2015 na University of Manchester "Music Under Nazi Occupation 1938 - 1945: Complicity and Resistance". Antonín Dvořák is worldwide celebrated composer, a natural part of world cultural heritage.
His music occupies a special place among Czech culture, representing a national identity and the beauty and richness of Czech music. However, the position of Antonín Dvořák and his music in Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia was quite ambiguous.
Two completely different trends of interpretation of the composer's life can be seen while observing the situation in Protectorate. By most of the Czech public, life and music of Dvořák were perceived as a symbol of Czech culture, symbol of "Czechness".
Orchestras and vocal ensembles included Dvořák's pieces into their repertoire to prove their patriotic attitude. Every anniversary of Dvořák always has been a huge event in cultural life.
So called Dvořák's jubilee year 1941, the year of Dvořák's 100th birth anniversary, was the most monumental one. Centenary celebrations took place all over the territory of the protectorate, with more than 3 500 concerts and other cultural events it has been the most extensive cultural event in Czech lands ever.
On the other hand, German administration appropriated Dvořák. The life of the composer was interpreted by German music-writers or critics, as well as by Czech pro-German activist or collaborators in completely different way.
German teachers, friends and publisher played the crucial role in Dvořák's international career, according to their explanation. Everybody should learn from Dvořák's example, that to cooperate with German is highly profitable and advantageous.
This issue hasn't been reflected in musicological literature yet.