Dvorák’s stay in the United States in invariably associated with his 9th Symphonie From the New World; his famous cello-concerto and his piano suite (opus 98) however are also from this period (1892-1895) when Dvorák was artistic director of the New York Conservatory. This suite for piano was scored for orchestra by Dvorák himself, one year after the completion of the pianoversion. He also followed this procedure with his famous Slavonic Dances (opus 46 and 72) and the Legends.
The Orchestral Suite got the title American Suite and appeared with the opus number 98b. Dvorák has never been able to hear this version for orchestra: the first performance took place on March 1st 1910 in Prague, six years after his death.
Just like in his New World” Symphony and his American stringquartet, there are American influences to be found in the American Suite: the frequent use of pentatonics (which means using only five different tones) and the use of syncopated rhythms. The arrangement for Symphonic Windband of the American Suite (original key A major) comprises 3 out of the 5 movements:
I. Andante con Moto
II. Moderato - Alla Polacca
III. Finale: Allegro
