Dvorak
composed his 3rd String Quintet while visiting the Czech community of Spillville, Iowa. As a result, the quintet earned the nickname "American".
The first movement establishes a pastoral mood immediately with an introduction that also returns at the movement's conclusion. The use of subdominant harmonies, pentatonic melodies, and modal cadences evokes the rustic simplicity or rural America.
The second movement is based off of a rhythmic ostinato depicting Native American drumming patterns, while the third movement is a Theme and Variations in which the Ab Major phrase was to be the basis for a new national anthem.
The finale is one of the most joyful rondo movements that Dvorak ever composed. The skipping rhythm in the main theme gives the movement a carefree dance-like character right up to the final measures.
