Dvorak – Symphony No. 9

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The Dvořák Symphony 9 in E minor, “From the New World”, Op. 95, B. 178 (Czech: Symfonie č. 9 e moll „Z nového světa“), popularly known as the New World Symphony, was composed in 1893 while he was the director of the National Conservatory of Music of America from 1892 to 1895. It is by far his most popular symphony, and one of the most popular of all symphonies. In older literature and recordings, this symphony was often numbered as Symphony No. 5. Neil Armstrong took a recording of the New World Symphony to the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission, the first Moon landing, in 1969. The symphony was completed in the building that now houses the Bily Clocks Museum.

Work 

• Dvorak Symphony 9

Composed 

• 1893

First Performance: 

• December 16, 1893, at Carnegie Hall conducted by Anton Seidl.

Movements

• Adagio, Allegro molto, E minor
• Largo, common time, D♭ major, then later C♯ minor
• Scherzo: Molto vivace – Poco sostenuto, E minor
• Allegro con fuoco, common time, E minor, ends in E major.

Audio excerpt from

• Label: Naxos Regular CD
• Artists: Alsop, Marin; Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Video lesson by

• Michael Cox