Dvorák's concert overture My Home (1882) is a prized rarity in the classical repertoire: a patriotic work of generally high quality. Originally intended to serve as incidental music for F.F. Samberk's play Josef Kajetán Tyl, My Home was rarely performed in this context, and it soon took on a new life as an independent concert work.

My Home makes use of two melodies: the bucolic folk song "Na tom naem dvore" and Skroup's "Kde domov muv?," most familiar as the Czech national anthem. After a brief introduction, the folk song provides the basis for the first subject, though at a tempo more in the manner of a Slavonic dance. Skroup's theme provides the lyrical second subject.

The work proceeds effectively in a traditional sonata form, though some commentators have suggested that the coda provides a somewhat pompous, hollow, and unsatisfying conclusion. Regardless, the work is attractively orchestrated and is a successful exemplar of music from one of the composer's most productive periods.

© All Music Guide

Portions of Content Provided by All Music Guide.
© 2008 All Media Guide, LLC. All Music Guide is a registered trademark of All Media Guide, LLC.