Composed rapidly during April of 1879 in the wake of his success with the two serenades (Opp.22 and 44), Dvorak this time incorporated Czech folk dances into his new work, which was to be for full orchestra. The term serenade, then more often associated with chanber or ensemble pieces (the Opp.22 and 44 were for strings and winds respectively) didn't quite fit and the new piece was designated the Czech Suite. It received its premiere ar the Provisional Theatre in Prague on May 16, 1879 with the theatre orchestra conducted by Adolf Cech, with Dvorak conducting it himself the next year to raise funds for the