The Berlin publisher Simrock commissioned Dvořák to compose a collection of piano duets based on Bohemian folk songs, as a follow-up to Brahms's highly successful 'Hungarian Dances'. Dvořák promptly responded to this request, composing eight pieces between March 18 and May 7, 1878, a period of approximately two months, and completing their orchestration in August of the same year.

All of the pieces are based on Bohemian dance styles.

No. 1 in C major: Furiant

The 'Furiant' is a Bohemian folk dance, a fervent dance characterized by the alternating succession of 2/4 and 3/4 time signatures. Although consistently notated in 3/4 time, strong accents emphasize a duple meter through hemiola. The piece consists of three sections, with the middle section modulating to A major (the parallel major of the relative minor).

No. 2 in E minor: Dumka

The 'Dumka' is a Ukrainian folk music form that spread throughout Slavic countries in the 19th century as a lament, and was particularly favored in Bohemia. The melancholic melody in E minor is varied each time it appears, with musical ideas in G major and C major emerging between its statements, forming an arch-like structure of A-B-A'-C-A'-B'-A.

No. 3 in A-flat major: Polka

The 'Polka' is also a dance of Bohemian origin, a lively dance in 2/4 time. Sections featuring a gentle musical idea with a legato, stepwise descending fourth motif and a syncopated rhythmic motive (Poco Allegro) alternate with sections that transition into an exhilarating musical idea where the descending motif is emphasized by fortissimo accents (Piu mosso), each appearing with slight variations. Midway through, both musical ideas shift to E major (the enharmonic key of the VI degree of the parallel minor), before returning to A-flat major.

No. 4 in F major: Sousedská

The 'Sousedská' is a slow dance in triple meter. Although marked Tempo di Menuetto, its melodic and rhythmic structure emphasizes the second beat. It is in three-part form, with the middle section modulating to the subdominant key of B-flat major.

No. 5 in A major: Skočná

The 'Skočná' is also a folk dance of Bohemian origin, but in contrast to the Sousedská, it is a vibrant dance in duple meter. A lighthearted theme combining staccato notes with slurs that add accents to the downbeats alternates with a legato theme based on stepwise motion, adopting a rondo-like structure.

No. 6 in D major: Sousedská

A Sousedská with a scherzo-like melody emphasizing the first and third beats. It is in three-part form, with the middle section modulating to the subdominant key of G major. While the return of the opening theme is ingeniously varied throughout this collection, the section where it returns accompanied by high-pitched octave tremolo figures is particularly beautiful.

No. 7 in C minor: Skočná

The simple and clear theme in fast 2/4 time is further intensified by its canonic imitation. This theme appears repeatedly, interspersed with middle sections, forming a rondo-like structure.

No. 8 in G minor: Furiant

The piece concluding the first set is a 'Furiant' with an enthusiastic character. The theme, which frequently alternates between minor and major modes, evokes an ethnic atmosphere within a functional harmonic framework. The entire piece is in three-part form, with the middle section modulating to the parallel major of G major.