Symphony No. 9 in E Minor "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 (Czech: Symfonie č. 9 e moll „Z nového světa“) by Antonin Dvorak.

OK, boys and girls, back to the classics: This Czech (Bohemian) romantic composer wrote his most popular symphony in 1893 during his stay in the U.S. from 1892-95. Inspired by Native American music and African-American spirituals. Commissioned by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, it debuted at Carnegie Hall in 1893 to rave reviews. Burleigh's spiritual "Goin' Home" is said to be based upon it. One of the most popular works in modern symphonic repertoires. Early on, it was titled "fifth" because of "the curse of the ninth". Composer? Symphony? For extra credit, what is "the curse of the ninth"? Answer: The Symphony No. 9 in E Minor "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 (Czech: Symfonie č. 9 e moll „Z nového světa“) by Antonin Dvorak. It is impossible for me to think about Dvorak's "New World" without thinking of my dear childhood friend Dr. Alberto "Papa Dios" Rodriguez. He introduced me to it when we were in high school before enjoying it live at the UPR concert series. Sadly, we recently lost Papa after a long and brave battle with cancer. Dvorak did "cheat" a little bit as far as the order of his compositions but, as you know, Beethoven, Schubert, Bruckner, Mahler and Vaughan Williams died after writing their 9th symphonies without completing their tenth, so we can't blame him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_1N6_O254g

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