Bedrich Smetana

MUSIC ANALYSIS
PRESENTATION
Music 1010
Clint Christofferson
BEDRICH SMETANA
Known as The Father of Czech music
Pioneer in Czech music development
Born March 2nd 1824 in Litomysl, Bohemia
Began musical career at age 6
Early Life
Musical influences of Mozart and Beethoven
Began composing his own music
In 1839, influenced by Josef Jungman
Attended many musical performances
DEVELOPMENT OF SMETANA
1843, grew popular as pianist
Trained at Prague Music Institute
1848, wrote Pro-democratic works
Founded piano institute.
CAREER OF SMETANA
Opened music school in Gothenburg
Recognized professionally and socially
Considered by as some as a dangerous
Modernist
1863, recognized for opera based on
Bohemia and writes The Bartered Bride
Gothenburg
THE FINAL STAGES

Health begins to fail, 1874
Writes M vlast and performed on
11/5/1882
Mental helath worsens and is
admitted to Lunatic Asylum
Died May 12th 1884
COMPOSITION HISTORY
M vlast or My Fatherland can be divided into eight episodes:
First and second sources flowing into the Vltava itself
Forest and hunting
Rustic village wedding
Moonlight and dance of water sprites or nymphs
Vltava returns
St. John rapids
Vltava flows in broad stream
Vltava salutes Vysehrad and flows by
M VLAST MY FATHERLAND
LISTENING GUIDE
0:00 Flute begins by introducing the main melody representing a stream with a quick
tempo accompanied with plucked string. Played with an ascending contour giving a very
springy feel.
0:21 The solo flute is joined by a second flute in a fluid melodic line and represent the
rivers current and creating a nice form to the piece. This is played in a momophonic style.
0:50 Melody is continued with low strings. The feel of the piece seems to spread out and
has smaller range and conjunct contour.
0:56 Violins begin and are played in major mode and maintain melody. Still accompanied
by low strings and reinforced by horns that assist in keeping rhythm.
1:35 Clarinets and drums enter, clarinets play with a descending contour and then
accompany violins, low strings, with melody. This is played with a fast but not agitated
tempo. It begins to build and create tension with violins.
1:49 Theme is then repeated with violins, low strings, clarinets, and drums, giving a nice
texture and comfort.
2:12 Violins play ascending melody creating tension and clarinet accompanies and creates
a bridge repeating theme and lead into the next.
2:40 Horns enter in with a disjunct melody, with a larger movement giving a strong timbre.
At this point the listener begins to feel the intensity of the piece as it builds created by
violins.
3:23 Resolution is felt as violins and horns taper down and lead into the next theme of the
piece.
3:37 Strings begin with a moderate tempo as the next theme begins, alternating volume
from soft to strong.
4:12 Volume of strings increase and is accompanied by drums for rhythm assistance
continueing melody.
4:23 Theme is repeated several times. It has a playful feel, the melody begins to decrease
in volume and low strings repeat melody and with an arched contour until it goes
completely silent and leads you to believe that the piece has ended.
5:15 Low strings hold rhythm and tempo slows and you can barely hear it.
5:24 Horn plays fermata as the new theme begins and is joined by multiple horns
harmonizing. Then enters an ascending clarinet and is accompanied by strings for
the melody.
5:39 Violins play in a monophonic texture and clarinet plays ascending melody. This
part gives a very cheerful and peaceful feel.
6:19 Strings change to a descending contour giving a resolute and reflective feel.
Clarinet continues with melody. This section gives almost a question mark as the
strings fade out
6:43 Strings return to the theme and horns enter to accompany melody and give
rhythm. This has a slower tempo and a calm feel.
7:03 Bridge begins to next theme and has an almost patriotic feel to it. Strings are
played with an arch contour and horns with an ascending disjunct contour and slow
moderate tempo.
7:27 Strings enter and Clarinets begin descending contour with a quick tempo
giving tension but happy feel. Strings fade out.
7:50 Main theme is repeated and gives a content and strong feel. This gives
comfort to the listener due to the repetition of the theme.
8:13 Clarinets play ascending contour. Low strings play a quick tempo
accompanying clarinets. Horns then come out strong with strings and clarinet fades
out.
8:27 Main theme is repeated again.
8:38 Drums and strings first enter with increased volume and begin to build
tension. After horns enter with polyphonic texture and clarinets. A lot of tension is
created with ascending feel of this segment with all instruments building and
symbols crashed together. The composer demonstrates a lot of conflict in this
segment as if at war.
9:41 Strings maintain low volume and slower tempo and the listener feels relief
9:49 Main theme is repeated and gives listener a feeling of happiness and
accomplishment from the last build up.
10:11 Violins play an arched contour in a monophonic texture accompanied by
horns that keep pulse. The feel of the song builds and gives a very strong and
proud sense to the piece.
10:38 Horns play disjunct and ascending with a fast tempo. Horns are held out and
gives a feeling of triumph.
11:04 The conclusion begins with the strings being played with a quick tempo.
Horns are held out with long notes and volume is increased.
11:13 All instruments are being played with a decreasing tempo and volume in an
arched contour with each repetition. This gives a feeling of an ending of a journey
and returning home after a victory.
11:32 High strings continue melody with slow tempo and volume diminishes and
leads listener
11:43 All strings play to final notes with major scale.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Yang, Khor Chin. M Vlast. Memberstripod. 1997. Web 5 Nov. 2015.
http://members.tripod.com/~nash_k/mycountry.html
"Bedrich Smetana." 2015. The Famous People website. Nov 9 2015, 05:22
//www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/bedrich-smetana-394.php
Bedrich Smetana. Britannica. 2 Dec. 2014. Web. 2 Nov. 2015.
http://www.britannica.com/biography/Bedrich-Smetana

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MUSIC ANALYSIS

THE FINAL STAGES

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