The opening of Smetana’s The Moldau (named after the river in the Czech Republic) is perhaps the most perfect depiction of an element of nature in all of Romantic music. From the first measures, one cannot escape imagining the streams forming into a smoothly flowing river. Through this tone poem, the composer takes us on a journey through his beloved fatherland along the Moldau River, which crosses through the entire country as a main artery, portraying scenes such as the hunt, a farm wedding, mermaids in the moonlight, and rapids.
The Moldau is the second in the set of the six symphonic poems titled Má Vlast (My Fatherland), but over the years it became so popular that today it is mostly performed on its own.Anna and Dmitri Shelest
Classical Music | Music for Duo
Bedřich Smetana
The Moldau from Má vlast
PlayRecorded on 12/31/2014, uploaded on 05/17/2015
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Аrranged. for piano four hands by composer
The opening of Smetana’s The Moldau (named after the river in the Czech Republic) is perhaps the most perfect depiction of an element of nature in all of Romantic music. From the first measures, one cannot escape imagining the streams forming into a smoothly flowing river. Through this tone poem, the composer takes us on a journey through his beloved fatherland along the Moldau River, which crosses through the entire country as a main artery, portraying scenes such as the hunt, a farm wedding, mermaids in the moonlight, and rapids.
The Moldau is the second in the set of the six symphonic poems titled Má Vlast (My Fatherland), but over the years it became so popular that today it is mostly performed on its own. Anna and Dmitri Shelest
More music by Bedřich Smetana
Vltava, from Má vlast
La Fête des paysans bohémiens, from Rêves (Dreams)
Three Czech Dances
Piano Trio in g minor, op.15
En Bohême, Scène champêtre, from Rêves (Dreams)
Piano Trio in G minor, Op.15
Vltava, from Má vlast
Performances by same musician(s)
Suite for Piano Four Hands No. 2, Op. 23, Silhouettes
La Valse
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