Czech dances
Czech Dances (České tance) originated in the final years of Smetana´s life. He wrote his masterpieces in this period. Czech Dances are divided into two parts/series. The first series contains four polkas and the second series consists of ten dances: Furiant – A minor, The Little Hen (Slepička) – B flat major, Oats (Oves) – A flat major, The Bear (Medvěd) – C major, The Little Onion (Cibulička) – G major, Dupák – D major, The Uhlan (Hulán) – A major, Obkročák – E flat major, Sousedská – B major, Skočná – F major. They originated as the counterpart to Dvořák´s Slavonic Dances.
1st line
2nd line
Sketches
Bedřich Smetana composed Sketches (Skizzen) while he was experiencing one of the hard periods of his life when three out of his four daughters died. He reacted to this tragical incident with a great piano work – Piano Trio in G minor.
Op. 4
Op. 5
Bagatellas and impromptus
They are small pieces of music, which Bedřich Smetana composed occasionally besides his study compositions – likewise, for example, Albumleaves (Stammbuch-Blätter) – while studying with Joseph Proksch.
Dreams (Rêves)
This is the cycle of six characteristic compositions, where both small and virtuosic compositions can be found. Bedřich Smetana composed this cycle in the final and grave years of his life when his musical work activity was complicated by health problems (illness, deafness).
Albumleaves (Stammbuch-Blätter)
In the 40s and 50s of the 19th century Bedřich Smetana concentrated mainly on pedagogical work, thanks to which many instructive music works originated. Although these pieces of music were shorter, they were rich with atmosphere, impressions, compositional techniques and means of expression. Albumleaves belong among these works. Bedřich Smetana dedicated his first Albumleaves to Clara Schumann
Albumleaves
Albumleaves op. 2
Albumleaves op. 3
Six Characteristic Pieces (Six morceau caractéristiques)
Bedřich Smetana dedicated this cycle, composed in 1848, to Ferenc Liszt, whom he knew, although not personally, and regarded him highly. Liszt spoke highly about the cycle and even recommended it for publishing. These are small programme compositions written at the time when Bedřich Smetana studied with Joseph Proksch.
Three Salon Polkas (Trois polkas de salon)
Three Salon Polkas are small polkas dedicated to Kateřina Kolářová (Smetanová), Bedřich Smetana´s wife.
Three Poetic Polkas (Trois polkas poétiques)
Small compositions that Bedřich Smetana dedicated to his student Matylda Bellot.
Souvenir of Bohemia in Polka Form (Souvenir de Bohême en forme de polkas)
Bedřich Smetana composed Souvenir of Bohemia in Polka Form in Sweden. He brilliantly expressed his homesickness this way.
Op. 12
Op. 13
Études
Indiviudal compositions
This Étude is a technically very demanding composition, in which two basic ideas – motifs alternate and intertwine.
Bedřich Smetana created this composition not only as a brilliant piece of music for his concert performances, but also as a reminiscence of the stay in Sweden. The sound of the sea, waves striking the seashore can be heard in the whole composition.
The composition originated during the so-called Swedish period when Smetana lived in Göteborg. At that time Smetana inclined to the new romanticism, more complicated harmony and more daring means of expression
For this composition Smetana used songs from the collections of Karel Jaromír Erben and Jan Pavel Martinovský. He connects folksongs and an excellent technique in this work
Young Smetana composed this polka during his stay at his relatives in Nové Město nad Metují. His cousin Louisa inspired him to write this small polka.
This is a musical expression of the joy of a Jiřinková slavnost (Dahlia Festival) and ball in Česká Skalice. Dahlia Festival was a festival, where dahlias were on display. The gardeners were awarded with the prize for the most beautiful flowers. The exhibition was followed by a ball
Technically not demanding composition is a reminiscence of Smetana´s student life.
One of the early dance compositions. Bedřich Smetana dedicated it to Kateřina Kolářová (Smetanová).
Smetana composed this polka for his second wife Bettina Ferdinand when he lived in Sweden.
This composition was written during Smetana´s Swedish period. Smetana was inspired by the girl Fröjda Beneck, with whom he fell in love at one of the balls, where he was a frequent guest.
