A composer I have grown to appreciate over the past six months or so since seeing the live performance of his ninth symphony is Antonin Dvorak. His music speaks to the heart in its vitality and its rhythmic exuberance, but also with his tender moments and ability to write the most endearing melodies as well. The dance spirit of his native Bohemia, now known as the Czech Republic is alive and well in all his works.

The Carnival Overture, Op.92 has become, like his other orchestral music, a mainstay in the repertoire. An underlying cheerful optimism is almost always evident in his music, making it nothing but a joy to hear. The Carnival Overture was written in 1891, as the middle work in a set of three overtures. As a group they were titled "Nature, Life and Love." The three pieces were first performed in Prague on April 20, 1892 with Dvorak conducting.


Boston Symphony Orchestra with Seiji Ozawa conducting in a 1993 concert recognizing the 100th Anniversary of his Ninth Symphony, "From the New World."

The Overture bubbles with energy and exuberance, except for a poignant, haunting melody in the English horn and solo violin. Like much of Dvorak's music, it abounds with dance rhythms and folk-music influences from his native Bohemia.

Dvorak wrote his own program note describing the story behind the music: "The wanderer reaches the city at nightfall, where a carnival of pleasure reigns supreme. On every side is heard the clangor of instruments, mingled with shouts of joy and the unrestrained hilarity of people giving vent to their feelings in the songs and dance tunes."