Bedřich Smetana was a seminal figure in the development of a national musical identity for the Czech people. Born on March 2, 1824, in Litomyšl, Bohemia, then part of the Austrian Empire, he was a composer who laid the foundations of Czech opera and is best known internationally for his opera "The Bartered Bride," and his symphonic cycle "Má Vlast" ("My Country"), which encompasses the famous "Vltava" (The Moldau) symphonic poem. Smetana was a prodigious talent from a young age, showing early promise in piano and violin and composing by the age of 8.

Smetana's life was marked by both triumph and tragedy. He became the first conductor of the Provisional Theater in Prague in 1866, which later became the Czech National Theater, a post that allowed him to champion Czech-language opera. He ardently believed that music should express nationalistic themes and tell the stories of his people, and his work reflects this passion for Czech folklore and history. Unfortunately, Smetana’s later years were shadowed by the onset of deafness and mental health issues, but he continued to compose with unfaltering dedication. His involuntary commitment to an asylum in 1884 led to a poignant end to a vibrantly creative life on May 12 that same year. Smetana's influence runs deep in Czech national culture, and his music is seen as a symbol of resistance and pride, giving voice to a nation's dream for independence, which would come more than three decades after his death.

The recordings listed like "Smetana: Wiener Philharmoniker" signify continuing performances and interpretations of his work, while others like "Mirages. Hidden Treasures of Classical Piano" and "A Window into the Past" indicate his compositions are treasured in various compilations of classical masterpieces. His repertoire continues to be celebrated and explored by newer generations, ensuring his legacy endures as an architect of national music and an inspiration to the world of classical composition.

Genres

Classical

Czech Classical

Late Romantic Era

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Zdeněk Fibich

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Johannes Brahms

Camille Saint-Saëns

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Edvard Grieg

Giuseppe Verdi

Latest Release

Smetana: String Quartet No. 1 “From my Life” – IV. Vivace

Bedřich Smetana•

Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra•

Petr Popelka

Single - Released November 8, 2024