Bedrich Smetana - Ma Vlast
Bohemia's National Composer, Conductor, Pianist, Teacher
Short biography of Bedrich Smetana, first national composer of Bohemia (Czech Republic), famous for his patriotic 'Ma Vlast' ('My Country') symphonic poem.
Bedrich Smetana was one of the most influential composer in Czechoslovakia. He is best known for symphonic poem cycle Ma Vlast (My Country), an ode to his homeland. He wrote the operas The Bartered Bride, Brandenburgers in Bohemia, Dalibor and Libuse. Smetana is considered a Czech national hero.
The Child Prodigy
Born in Litomysl on March 2, 1824, Smetana started music lessons from his violinist father, a keen amateur musician, later, with several local teachers. At the age of five, he played first violin in a Haydn quartet, and the following year, gave a piano recital in public.
The Teenage Years
In his teens, Smetana attended the Academic Gymnasium in Prague, but neglected school in order to attend concerts, including some of Franz Liszt’s with whom he became friendly, and to write string quartets for friends.
Musical Education and Career Beginnings
He studied composition and theory in Prague, and was appointed resident piano teacher to the family of Count Leopold Thun. It was during that time that he met Robert Schumann with wife Clara Wieck-Schumann and Berlioz. Smetana was educated in Germany, but in spite of his deep musical nationalism, he spoke Czech like a foreigner.
Political and Family Upheavals
In 1848 he took part in the revolution against Austria and established a school of music asking Liszt for funding. A year before that he wasn't able to establish himself as a piano virtuoso. Due to the political instability at that time Smetana didn't progress much in his career.
Due to mental health of his wife, he had family problems, followed by three of his four daughters' death. He moved to Sweden where he found success as a conductor, pianist and teacher. His wife died in 1859 and he remarried the following year.
When the political situation in Prague got better, he returned and settled there in 1861, where his work became Czech in character. He helped found the National Theatre of Prague and Philharmonic Society. The younger Antonin Dvorak took part as viola player for 10 years. He gave his people a new musical identity with his technical assurance and originality in handling national subjects. Smetana had his last major success in 1881 when his patriotic opera Libuse was premiered in Prague.
Unfortunately, his deafness overtook him in 1874, but he continued writing. He became insane in 1883 and in May 1884 was taken to a lunatic asylum where he eventually died. He was buried in Prague alongside Czech national heroes.
Major Works of Smetana
- Symphonic poem, Wallenstein's Camp 1859
- Opera, The Brandenburgers in Bohemia 1863
- Opera, The Bartered Bride 1866
- Opera, Dalibor 1867
- String Quartet No.1 "From My Life" 1876
- Cycle of Symphonic Poems, entitled Ma Vlast "My Country" 1879
- String Quartet No.2 1883
Sources:
Dictionary of the Arts, Gramercy Books (1999)
The Grove Concise Dictionary of Music, edited by Stanley Sadie, Macmillan (1994)
