Antonin Dvorak's New World Symphony, the famous ninth symphony, is one of the most popular classical works ever.  Now author Joseph Horowitz brings us on a journey back in time, a tale that spans the globe from Czechoslovakia to America and shows us how everything from the Wild West to the Civil War went in to the making of this famous body of work.

In this spirited account of the story behind the composition, Joseph Horowitz brings to life the diverse musical and cultural influences that inspired the composer, who came from Czechoslovakia to America in 1892. Listening to his assistant, Henry Burleigh, sing slave songs, and visiting Wild West shows and the Kickapoo Medicine Show gave Dvorak the raw material from which to compose his masterpiece that, to both popular audiences and critics, captures the vibrancy and power of American music.

Illustrated with archival black-and-white photos, and including index and source notes for further research, this book brings the dramatic and inspiring story of a musical masterpiece to life. Perfect for readers of COBBLESTONE magazine, and for all young readers with a thirst for knowledge.

Hardcover.