Symphony No. 9 in E minor

Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, B. 178

Composer: Antonin Dvořák

Date of publication: 1893

Nickname: "New World Symphony"

This symphony was composed a few years after Dvorak arrived in New York City from Czechia. Dvorak was working as the musical director of the National Conservatory of Music of America, which had the goals of creating a program that would make music education available to every group of Americans, and to create an American nationalism in music. Dvorak's New World Symphony was created to incorporate Native American and African American themes and character into a European symphonic structure. He took much inspiration from works like slave spirituals (minor/diminished 7ths in the first movement, pentatonic scales, and syncopation). He was also inspired by Swing Low, Sweet Chariot and Song of Hiawatha. The premiere in Carnegie Hall was such a massive success that more seats had to be implemented in order to house everyone.

Movements:

I. Adagio – Allegro molto

II. Largo

III: Scherzo. Molto vivace

IV. Allegro con fuoco