Composer, Cadenzor

Bedřich Smetana

1824 — 1884

About

Concerts and Operas

Karajan conducts the New Year's Eve Concert 1983

Berliner Philharmoniker

Concert54 Min

Velvet Revolution Concert 2020 – with Semyon Bychkov

Czech Philharmonic

Concert86 Min

Waldbühne 2016: A Czech Night – with Lisa Batiashvili

Berliner Philharmoniker

Concert108 Min

Albums

Trifonov Plays Chamber Music (Live)

Daniil Trifonov, Ilya Gringolts, Truls Mörk, Leonidas Kavakos, Gautier Capuçon

Berlioz / Chabrier / Smetana

Los Angeles Philharmonic, Alfred Wallenstein

Smetana: Czech Dances & On the Seashore

Garrick Ohlsson

Smetana: String Quartets Nos. 1 "From My Life" & 2; Sibelius: Voces intimae

Dante Quartet

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.6 "Pathétique" / Smetana: The Moldau

Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan

Smetana: Má vlast; Richard III; Wallenstein's Camp; Hakon Jarl etc.

Rafael Kubelík, James Levine

Smetana: The Moldau; Vysehrad / Liszt: Les Préludes; Mazeppa; Hungarian Rhapsody No.4

Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan

Smetana: Má Vlast

Boston Symphony Orchestra, Rafael Kubelík

Appears On

Karajan A-Z: Sibelius - Smetana

DG 120 – Orchestral: Early Recordings

Various Artists

DG 120 – Orchestral 1 (1952-1970)

Various Artists

Peter und der Wolf in Hollywood

Campino, Bundesjugendorchester, Alexander Shelley

Peter And The Wolf In Hollywood

Alice Cooper, Bundesjugendorchester, Alexander Shelley

Janáček: String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2 – Smetana: String Quartet No. 1 "From My Life"

Takács Quartet

AboutBedřich Smetana

Bedřich Smetana (* March 2, 1824, Litomyšl; † May 12, 1884, Prague) is considered the founder of a Czech national musical style. He studied piano and composition in Prague, then attempted to make a career as a concert pianist, but soon after began teaching at a music school he founded himself in Prague. An invitation to Sweden led him to Gothenburg in 1856, where he worked as a conductor, pianist, and lecturer until 1861. Following this, Smetana returned to Prague and dedicated himself extensively to Czech music. In 1866, he became the conductor of the Czech National Theatre, providing him with a suitable forum to stage some of his operas. As he progressively became deaf from 1874 onwards, he withdrew from active musical life but remained active as a composer until his death. Some of his early compositions were initially under the stylistic influence of Franz Liszt and Richard Wagner, from which Bedřich Smetana drew his own musical conclusions. With the genre of the symphonic poem, he found a way to meaningfully combine orchestral elements with folk music elements into program music, which, like the cycle "Má vlast" (My Fatherland) (1874 – 79), achieved success far beyond his Czech homeland. Some of his chamber music pieces also became popular, such as the "String Quartet No. 1 in E minor, 'From My Life'" (1876). A significant part of Bedřich Smetana's oeuvre consists of his stage works. "The Bartered Bride" (1866/70) became internationally popular, and with its blend of genre scenes and subtle realism, dance-like melodies, and theatrical pomp, it became the epitome of Bohemian-Czech picturesqueness. Other works include "The Brandenburgers in Bohemia" (1868), "Dalibor" (1868), "Libuše" (1871), "The Two Widows" (1874), "The Kiss" (1878), and "The Devil's Wall" (1882), as well as a total of nine symphonic poems, the "String Quartet No. 2 in D minor" (1883), and the "Piano Trio in G minor" (1855). Bedřich Smetana's influence on the music of subsequent years was significant, with Antonín Dvořák and Leoš Janáček, in particular, explicitly referring to his musical achievements.

Fascinating Works by Bedřich Smetana

Discover the captivating symphonies and chambers of Bedřich Smetana (2 March 1824 – 12 May 1884), a Czech composer who pioneered the development of a musical style closely identified with his people's cultural and political "revival." Widely revered in his homeland as the father of Czech music, Smetana's influence spans globally. He is internationally renowned for his opera The Bartered Bride and for the symphonic cycle Má vlast ("My Fatherland"), which portrays the history, legends, and the breathtaking landscape of his native Bohemia. It features the famous symphonic poem "Vltava," also known by its German name "Die Moldau" (in English, "The Moldau").

Smetana's Notable Works

Smetana's compositions, deeply rooted in Bohemian culture and traditions, reflect the spirit of Czech nationalism during a time of political and cultural revival. His most famous opera, The Bartered Bride, celebrated for its lively music and Bohemian dances, has become a cornerstone of Czech national opera and is performed worldwide.

His symphonic cycle, Má vlast ("My Fatherland"), is a set of six symphonic poems that portray the history, legends, and landscapes of Bohemia. Among these, "Vltava" (also known as "The Moldau") stands out for its evocative depiction of the river's journey through the Czech countryside.

Another of his great operas, Libuše, often performed at significant national occasions, exemplifies Smetana’s dedication to Czech legends and patriotic themes. His String Quartets Nos. 1 “From My Life” & 2 are highly personal, with Quartet No. 1 being especially notable for its autobiographical elements, including a portrayal of Smetana’s own struggle with deafness.

Smetana also composed piano works that capture the character of Czech folk music, such as Czech Dances. His piece, On the Seashore, while not as widely recognized as Czech Dances, is another testament to his ability to evoke the spirit of his homeland in his music.

Artistic Legacy and Influence

Smetana's influence extends beyond his compositions. He helped establish the Czech national opera tradition and was principal conductor at the Royal Provincial Czech Theatre in Prague, contributing to the growth of musical institutions in the region. His life was marked by personal tragedies and professional challenges, including the loss of several family members and his own declining health, but his resilience led to some of his best-known works, especially in the later part of his life.

Performance Highlights

Smetana’s music continues to be celebrated in iconic performances by renowned artists. Some of the most notable include the New Year's Eve Concert 1983 conducted by Karajan, the Velvet Revolution Concert 2020 with Semyon Bychkov, and the Waldbühne 2016: A Czech Night featuring Smetana's works. Other prominent performances include Sibelius - Smetana: Karajan A-Z, live chamber music by Trifonov featuring Smetana's melodies, Peter und der Wolf in Hollywood showcasing Smetana's musical influence, and exquisite string quartets by Janáček & Smetana.