It is said that Dvorák spent an entire Christmas Day working on his Rondo in G minor for cello and piano, Op. 94 (1891). The work is dedicated to Hanus Wihan, the cellist of the Bohemian String Quartet and, later, the dedicatee of the composer's Cello Concerto (1894-1895). Dvorák had been touring Bohemia with the cellist and another musician; noting that there was no solo piece to show off Wihan's abilities, the composer produced the Rondo to fill the gap.

The Rondo's main theme has a slightly morose feel, largely because of its key of G minor. Despite its melancholic tinge, the melody is spirited and dance-like in the manner so characteristic of the composer's chamber music. The first section is followed by a more lyrical, optimistic passage in which the cello sings out until the accompaniment takes over the melody. This lyrical atmosphere is short-lived, however, as the mood grows uneasy before moving on to the next section. The following section shows off the cello's virtuosic capabilities as the instrument joyfully soars into its high registers. The return of the lyrical section brings more development; with a final statement of the cello's melody, less wistful and a little gloomier this time, the Rondo draws to a quiet close. Although the Rondo is effective with its piano accompaniment, Dvorák also made an orchestral version that lends the work an extra measure of color and drama; both incarnations of this imaginative work remain active in the repertoire.

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