Harry Burleigh was an African American student at the National Conservatory of Music while Antonín Dvořák was its Director. Harry, who became a composer himself, sang spirituals to Dvořák. This unfamiliar music made a profound impression on the Czech composer. It was at about this time that the New York Philharmonic Orchestra commissioned this 9th symphony, and there can be little doubt that Burleigh's voice helped to inspire this masterpiece.

The first performance of the “New World Symphony” took place in Carnegie Hall on December 16, 1893. Today it remains as one of the World's most loved classical compositions.

In the first movement, Dvořák almost breaks into the theme of the spiritual, "Swing Low Sweet Chariot". In the second movement, the cor anglais introduces one of the most loved themes in all of his music. The third movement is a scherzo. However, throughout all four movements, the influence of Native American musical harmonies and rhythms are evident.

Dvořák wrote, "I am convinced that the future music of this country must be founded on what are called [African American] melodies. They are the folksongs of America and your composers must turn to them".

Program note by Ian A. Frazer