The four short movements of the sonatina each exhibit a simple and clear, formal structure (hence the diminutive, cf. sonata). They all contain themes, which, like those already found in his other American chamber works (the String Quartet in F and the String Quintet in E-flat), owe their inspiration to Indian melodies and Negro spirituals, which are characterized by pentatonic scales and syncopated rhythm, among other traits. The mood of the composition is fresh and joyful. Only the second movement and part of the last movement are nostalgic; they are inspired by the composer's longing for his home country.The slow movement Larghetto was hurriedly noted down on Dvořák's shirt sleeve while on a visit to Minnehaha Falls, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.[3] Simrock sold this movement separately, without the composer's permission, and Fritz Kreisler often performed it as Indian Lullaby. It also appeared as Indian Canzonetta; such romantic titles were not the composer's, but were added subsequently by publishers.