A native of Bohemia, Antonín Dvořák contributed much to the re-establishment of Czech national musical identity in the 19th century. It was the popularity of his choral music in England, however, that led to the development of the Mass in D from its smaller-scale original into a movingly dramatic and jubilant masterpiece with full orchestra. Dvořák’s celebratory Te Deum is comparable in form to a four-movement symphony. Antoni Wit is considered by ClassicsToday.com to be ‘the best conductor around these days for big choral works’. His acclaimed recording of Dvořák’s Requiem is available on Naxos 8.572874-75.