Ernst von Dohnányi's American Rhapsody dates from the composer's final years, which he spent teaching at Florida State University. He had settled there in relative obscurity after years of relatively nomadic existence following his decision to leave his native Hungary in 1944. The work opens with a bold call on the brass and strings, announcing itself with a fragment of "On Top of Old Smokey" (which had been a folk hit by The Weavers at approximately the same time), before quoting the Negro spiritual "Poor Wayfaring Stranger." Taking his lead from Antonin Dvorák, Dohnányi defines his vision of America in folk and gospel terms for the length of the piece, though the rhapsody's 14-minute running time offers nothing remotely as inviting as the vast canvas of Dvorák's four-movement New World Symphony. A middle section dominated by strings and horns seems to come from European sources, "The Riddle Song" (a tune also known in its pop incarnation as "The Twelfth of Never") is played on the violins, winds, and reeds and gives way to a square dance melody best-known as "Turkey in the Straw." The strings take "The Riddle Song" back to the fore. The finale is dominated by the set of variations—principally played on the horns—to the tune of "Barbara Allen."

© Bruce Eder, All Music Guide