What is Smetana known for?

Beyond Czech-speaking countries Smetana is best known for his cycle of six orchestral tone poems, Má vlast (‘My Country’), especially ‘Vltava’, his depiction of the river that flows through Prague. In the Czech Republic, he is widely regarded as the father of Czech musical nationalism.

What is the story of Moldau?

A devoutly patriotic work, The Moldau captures in music Smetana’s love of his homeland. … The movement starts with light, rippling figures that represent the emergence of the Moldau River as two mountain springs, one warm and one cold.

What two languages did Smetana?

Becoming Czech When Smetana was growing up, the official language of Bohemia was German. He now found himself, in his late thirties, learning his own native language, Czech. He set himself to learning the language, and practiced writing and speaking it daily.

What is Russian Smetana?

Smetana is a type of sour cream from Central and Eastern Europe. It is a dairy product produced by souring heavy cream. It is similar to crème fraîche (28% fat), but nowadays mainly sold with 9% to 42% milkfat content depending on the country.

Which two Czech composers wrote nationalistic music of Bohemia?

Smetana, Dvořák and Leoš Janáček are the three most famous composers who wrote Czech nationalist music. His music is typical of the Czech people.

Why was The Moldau banned?

After the Nazis occupied Czechoslovakia in 1939, many Czech symphony orchestras started to play ‘The Moldau’ as a sign of protest to the occupation. As a consequence, in an attempt to break the spirit of independence and resistance among the people, Nazis banned the performance of the symphonic poem.

When was The Moldau banned?

In 1941 the Nazis banned all performances of Moldau in Prague to try and break the independent spirit of the Czech people.

Is The Moldau a river?

Vltava River, German Moldau, river, the longest in the Czech Republic, flowing 270 miles (435 km). Its drainage basin is 10,847 square miles (28,093 square km). The river rises in southwestern Bohemia from two headstreams in the Bohemian Forest, the Teplá Vltava and the Studená Vltava.

Was Beethoven deaf?

Beethoven first noticed difficulties with his hearing decades earlier, sometime in 1798, when he was about 28. By the time he was 44 or 45, he was totally deaf and unable to converse unless he passed written notes back and forth to his colleagues, visitors and friends. He died in 1827 at the age of 56.

When did Bedrich Smetana die?

12 May 1884 Bedřich Smetana / Date of death 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.

What nationality was Chopin?

Polish Frédéric Chopin / Nationality More About Chopin. Frederic Chopin was a Polish-born pianist and composer of matchless genius in the realm of keyboard music.

What era of music was Smetana?

Bedřich Smetana was Born in Litomyšl, Bohemia (now the Czech Republic). He is one of the first of the great 19th-century nationalist composers; Smetana gave his beloved Bohemia a central role in his two most famous works, the orchestral suite Má Vlast and the opera The Bartered Bride.

Is Smetana a romantic composer?

Smetana had a good head for melody, and he did use Czech dances in his music, but he was really a mainstream Romantic composer, who came from one of the longtime centers of the European musical tradition.

Is Smetana the same as sour cream?

Smetana is similar in appearance to creme fraiche, but its taste is closer to sour cream. It is known as “Russian sour cream”.

Is Smetana fermented?

Russian Sour Cream or Smetana was originally made by allowing whole milk to ferment for a few days in a warm room or oven. Lacto-fermentation turned the top layer into Smetana or Soured Cream.

Is sour cream good for you?

Although it’s perfectly healthy, eating too much may be detrimental. Moderate sour cream intake isn’t bad for you. In some cases, it may even help you eat more nutrient-dense foods like veggies and legumes.

How many pieces did Smetana compose?

Smetana’s eight operas created the bedrock of the Czech opera repertory, but of these only The Bartered Bride is performed regularly outside the composer’s homeland.

How do you pronounce Bedrich Smetana?

What is Bohemia called now?

the Czech Republic In 1969, the Czech lands (including Bohemia) were given autonomy within Czechoslovakia as the Czech Socialist Republic. In 1990, the name was changed to the Czech Republic, which became a separate state in 1993 with the breakup of Czechoslovakia.

Where is The Moldau River located?

the Czech Republic listen); German: Moldau [ˈmɔldaʊ]) is the longest river in 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.

What inspired 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.

What is the political significance of The Moldau?

The Moldau” represents an exceptional expression of patriotic or nationalistic music. The musical poem reflects the pride, oppression, and hope of the Bohemian people. Before World War 1 Bohemia, presently the Czech Republic, was ruled by the Austro- Hungarian Empire.

Why did Smetana write Vlast?

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 instruments are 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 is the Prague river called?

Vltava River Flowing through the centre of the city, the Vltava River is the lifeline of Prague and has given rise to some of the city’s most important historical sights, including Charles Bridge.

What do the French horns represent in the Moldau?

The sound of loud, dominating french horns and trumpets, portraying the calls of hunting horns, represents the great fields through which a horse-back hunt proceeds. The small forests which the hunters pass are represented by the quieter contrasting passages by strings and woodwinds.