"Musicians in general and cellists in particular have reason to celebrate: Jan Smaczny has written an erudite, well researched and complete handbook on the Dvorák cello concerto. Smaczny has met the challenge of writing a complete study that is detailed and balanced, as well as consistently interesting. A work like this handbook is a rare and precious thing. It explores in some detail a specific concerto and is able to ompart to readers, through that exploration, and increased understanding and appreciation of music and performance in general and a view of a very personal and meaningful source of artistic creation." American Music Teacher

• Preface and acknowledgements; 1. Dvorák and the cello; 2. Preludes to the Concerto; 3. The Concerto and Dvorák's 'American manner'; 4. 'Decisions and revisions': sketch and compositional process; 5. The score I: forms and melodies; 6. The score II: interpretations; 7. Performers and performances; Notes; Select bibliography; Select discography; Index.