To celebrate 25 years of democracy and freedom on the anniversary of the Velvet Revolution Czech Center New York presents the original manuscript of Antonín Dvořák’s New World Symphony. 

This is the first time the autograph score has left the Czech Republic since Dvořák brought it back home from New York, the city where it was composed. The manuscript, on loan from the Czech National Museum in Prague, is here reunited with the original orchestral parts from the  New York Philharmonic, created for the world premiere in 1893.

In a collaborative initiative with the Dvořák American Heritage Association, these parts are on loan from the New York Philharmonic Archives, where the entire set is preserved. These unique documents are presented together with the exhibition Inscriptions by Jiří Voves.

The public is invited to view the exhibit November 17-21, from 1 pm to 9 pm daily, after which the manuscript returns to the Czech National Museum in Prague.
Admission is free.

Related program offered by the Dvorak American Heritage Association and Czech Center New York:

Dvorak to Duke Ellington
Tuesday, November 18th at 6 PM
Maestro Maurice Peress traces the influence of Dvorak and the ‘New World’ Symphony through his American students and "grand-students," including Ellington, Gershwin and Copland.

Dvorak’s New York
Wednesday, November 19th at 6 PM
New York Philharmonic Archivist and Historian Barbara Haws and cultural historian Majda Kallab Whitaker discuss highlights of Dvorak’s New York residency, including the premiere of the ’New World’ Symphony in 1893.
Dvorak chamber music performance by ArtsAhimsa String Quartet.

The ‘New World’ Symphony: From Happy Birthday to the Song of the Robin
Thursday, November 20th at 6 PM
Dvorak scholar Michael Beckerman explores the musical “back stories” of the 'New World’ Symphony.

Partners and supporters:
Bohemian Benevolent & Literary Association, Consulate General of the Czech Republic, Czech Ministry of Culture, Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Czech National Museum, Czech Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Czech Philharmonic, Czech Tourism, Dvořák American Heritage Association, New York Philharmonic Archives