Czech composer Bed˘rich Smetana (BED-rick SMET–ah-na) was inspired to write The Moldau by nature, memories of his personal adventures, and a deep love for his country. The work is named after an actual river that runs from a mountainside, through the Czech countryside, and into the city of Prague.

What does Smetana’s The Moldau represent?

Composer: Bedrich Smetana (1824 – 1884) Smetana prefaced the musical score with the following descriptive notes: “The Moldau” represents an exceptional expression of patriotic or nationalistic music. The musical poem reflects the pride, oppression, and hope of the Bohemian people.”

What older forms of music have been used as inspiration for The Moldau?

Smetana claimed to have created the Czech musical style. And unlike many other nationalistic composers, he did not limit his inspiration to indigenous folk music. Besides Liszt, he admired Chopin, Berlioz, Verdi, and Gounod among his non-German influences.

What is the form of The Moldau?

It is a multi-movement symphonic poem, or music that tells a story or paints a picture. ”The Moldau” is a movement found within the piece. In ”Má vlast,” Smetana wanted to celebrate his Czech homeland by composing music that depicted the legends, stories, and landscapes of Bohemia.

What was the inspiration for The Moldau?

Czech composer Bed˘rich Smetana (BED-rick SMET–ah-na) was inspired to write The Moldau by nature, memories of his personal adventures, and a deep love for his country. The work is named after an actual river that runs from a mountainside, through the Czech countryside, and into the city of Prague.

Why was The Moldau written?

The Moldau was written in the 1870’s, a time when Bohemians had a renewed interest in freedom from German culture. They embraced it and the rest of Má vlast as a sort of patriotic symphonic national anthem. Research suggests this was Smetana’s intent as well.

What instruments are used in The Moldau?

The Moldau

• Composed: 1874.
• Length: c.
• Orchestration: piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion (bass drum, cymbals, suspended cymbal, triangle), harp, and strings.

What period is The Moldau from?

Vltava, also known by its English title The Moldau, and the German Die Moldau, was composed between 20 November and 8 December 1874 and was premiered on 4 April 1875 under Adolf Čech. It is about 13 minutes long, and is in the key of E minor.

Where is The Moldau?

listen); German: Moldau [ˈmɔldaʊ]) is the longest river within the Czech Republic, running southeast along the Bohemian Forest and then north across Bohemia, through Český Krumlov, České Budějovice and Prague, and finally merging with the Elbe at Mělník. It is commonly referred to as the “Czech national river”.

When did Smetana write The Moldau?

A devoutly patriotic work, The Moldau captures in music Smetana’s love of his homeland. Completed in 1874 and first performed the following year, the piece constitutes the second movement of a six-movement suite, Má vlast (My Country), which premiered in its entirety in Prague on November 5, 1882.

Why is The Moldau an example of program music?

Single movement piece, programmatic; also known as a tone poem, do not usually follow a form because they follow the flow of the poem, The Moldau is an example. Music which tells a story in literary or pictoral sense; often includes a narrative to the audience.

What nationality is Smetana?

Bedřich Smetana, (born March 2, 1824, Leitomischl, Bohemia, Austrian Empire [now Litomyšl, Czech Republic ]—died May 12, 1884, Prague), Bohemian composer of operas and symphonic poems, founder of the Czech national school of music. He was the first truly important Bohemian nationalist composer.

Was Bedrich Smetana deaf?

Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884) Having had fairly normal hearing most of his life, he lost the ability to hear in his left ear in September 1874, and just one month later, the right ear had gone as well. Imagine Smetana, 50 years old, at the height of his popularity, and now completely deaf.