American Plantation Dances

American Plantation Dances is a hidden gem; a lost piece of important American musical history. In 1893, after several years studying abroad, Arnold was on one several notable Black students chosen to attend the National Conservatory of Music in New York, then under the direction of Antonin Dvorak. While at the conservatory these students introduced Dvorak to the spirituals and folk melodies of the Black community. In return, Dvorak encouraged his students to draw from this, stating that here is "all that is needed to create a great and noble school of music". Dvorak drew from this for his famous Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World". A suite in four movements, American Plantation Dances combines European Romanticism with African-American dance themes. This was premiered at Dvorak's famous Madison Square Garden concert in January 1894 held just five weeks after the premier of the New World Symphony. For this concert Arnold conducted the orchestra. The piece was subsequently published in Germany as a piano duet and John Philip Sousa added this to the repertoire of his famous concert band.