Dvořák'sNinth Symphony, "From the New World," is definitely his most famous symphony. The work, written during Dvořák's New York years, is full of nostalgia for Bohemia. Also on the program: Schumann's glowingCello Concerto, played by star cellist Julia Hagen. Tonight the Residentie Orkest is conducted by Pablo González.

The National Conservatory in New York offered Dvořák thirty times his Prague salary in 1892. In America, his international reputation subsequently peaked. According to Dvořák, Americans needed to develop their own American national style, based on African-American and Native American folk music. Dvořák's theory, however, was met with reservations. A generation later, his vision proved correct: jazz became a musical icon of American culture. Dvořák himself underlined his hypothesis in a new symphony, in which he absorbed the characteristic features of Negro spirituals. These then formed the basis for his most famous work: theNinth Symphony.

Schumann wrote his important cello works just before depression overwhelmed him. The fabulousCello Concertowas composed within two weeks in the fall of 1850, in a feverish rush of inspiration. Schumann's wife Clara played it through and noted in her diary that the piece gave her a musical and happy hour.One of the new stars in the cello firmament is Salzburg-born Julia Hagen. To her belongs the honor of bringing this glowing concerto across the limelight.