This arrangement is not in the original key to make it easier to play. A version in the original key is available here: S0.373007.



The Czech composer Antonín Dvoand#345;ák became the director of theNational Conservatory of Music in New York City in 1892 (a post he helduntil 1895). Whilst in North America, he became fascinated by Native Americanmusic and the African-American spirituals that he heard. After a commission in1893 from the New York Philharmonic, he wrote the Symphony No. 9 in E minor,"From the New World", also known as the ?New World? Symphony ? not onlyhis most famous symphony but one of the most popular symphonies of all time.



The second movement (Largo) features the famous cor anglaissolo, arranged here for solo piano. It was famously used in a British advert for the bread-brandHovis and was adapted into the spiritual-like song ?Goin? Home? by one ofDvoand#345;ák's pupils in 1922.



Dvoand#345;ák explained the Native-American influences in the symphonyin an article published by the New York Herald: ?I have not actually used anyof the [Native American] melodies. I have simply written original themesembodying the peculiarities of the Indian music, and, using these themes assubjects, have developed them with all the resources of modern rhythms,counterpoint, and orchestral colour.?



A recording of the ?New World? Symphony was taken along on theApollo 11 mission by Neil Armstrong in 1969.