Composed during Dvořák’s stay in the United States in the 1890s, the “New World” Symphony captures both the composer’s longing for his homeland and his deep fascination with the vast landscapes and musical traditions of America. Drawing upon spirituals, Native American melodies (as he understood them), and his own Czech folk roots, Dvořák created a soundscape that feels both grounded and expansive.

From the sentimental English horn solo set against the backdrop of an American prairie to the thunderous energy of the finale, this work reflects the complex emotions of discovery, nostalgia, and hope. In many ways, Dvořák’s Ninth Symphony is the quintessential American immigrant story: an artist arriving in a new land, absorbing its culture, feeling homesick, and ultimately weaving together multiple heritages into something profoundly unified. It may not be labeled as such, but the “New World” Symphony is every bit as American as the music of Copland.