Tabor (stronghold of the Hussites)
The final two movements in the cycle are musically linked by their use of Ye Who Are God’s Warriors. This hymn tune was associated with the martyred fifteenth-century religious reformer Jan Hus and his followers.
“The first piece, Tábor, is based on this majestic chorale,” Smetana wrote. It was undoubtedly in the town of Tábor, the seat of the Hussites, that this stirring hymn resounded most powerfully and most frequently which forms the basis of the symphonic poem.
The entire movement is tense – there is little in terms of comfort in this piece. Smetana writes “Motto: Ye Who are God’s Warriors! The piece consists of lofty construction works (the city of Tábor in the Czech Republic today was supposedly founded by the Hussites). From the main headquarters rang this theme and certainly the barracks. The composition also depicts strong will, perseverance and winning the battle, and it is with this steely insistence that the piece concludes with. The details are uncertain at this point, but there is general praise and glory in the resilience of the Hussites in battle and of their brave nature.”
“The first piece, Tábor, is based on this majestic chorale,” Smetana wrote. It was undoubtedly in the town of Tábor, the seat of the Hussites, that this stirring hymn resounded most powerfully and most frequently which forms the basis of the symphonic poem.
The entire movement is tense – there is little in terms of comfort in this piece. Smetana writes “Motto: Ye Who are God’s Warriors! The piece consists of lofty construction works (the city of Tábor in the Czech Republic today was supposedly founded by the Hussites). From the main headquarters rang this theme and certainly the barracks. The composition also depicts strong will, perseverance and winning the battle, and it is with this steely insistence that the piece concludes with. The details are uncertain at this point, but there is general praise and glory in the resilience of the Hussites in battle and of their brave nature.”