Antonin Dvorak : 9th Symphony - 2nd movement

This movement was already well-known to many people, but it became very familiar after its use in a number of television adverts in the UK, particular the Hovis bread advert. The Symphony is subtitled "From the New World" and was composed by the Czech composer Antonin Dvorak during an extended stay in America when he took up a post there in New York. Dvorak became homesick and this particular movement is often interpreted as an expression of his longing to be home in his native land. It is therefore appropriate that the music was turned into the song called "Going Home". Dvorak's New World Symphony was also one of the two recordings chosen by astronaut Neil Armstrong to take to the moon. Perhaps it was a personal favourite, or perhaps he looked upon the Moon as a "New World". His other choice was music using the electronic instrument called the Theremin which has been used to suggest otherworldly aliens in many older sci-fi films. The complete scores of Dvorak's 8th and 9th Symphonies (and many other works) are available from The Music Room.

In print format, here is the Conductor's score to this movement, and here is the complete set of instrumental parts: