Antonin Dvorak's New World Symphony is one of the most popular classical works ever. 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 for young readers.

Dvorak in America: In Search of the New world tells the story behind this composer's New World Symphony.

"And so Dvorak returned to the railing and doffed his top hat until everyone was satisfied that the evening was over. On the street he wiped his brow and remarked to Creelman, ever at his heels: 'He who will, can. He who can, must.'" — from the book