Programmatic in nature, this work aims to juxtapose an observer and the scene which s/he enjoys. In Dvorak’s Carnival Overture, he is musically representing someone watching the unfolding of a scene filled with livelihood and mirth. Dvorak says of the piece: 

“The lonely, contemplative wanderer reaches the city at nightfall, where a carnival is in full swing. On every side is heard the clangor of instruments, mingled with shouts of joy and the unrestrained hilarity of people giving vent to their feelings in their songs and dance tunes.”