History Behind the Work
The latter half of the 19th century was filled with political unrest in Bohemia. The unjust and tyrannical rule of the Habsburg Empire was in full force and German nationalism was manifested in a complacent and arrogant sense of cultural dominance. Under the Habsburg law the German language was forced upon the indigenous peoples.
In response and partly in defense, the Slavs (which included the people of Bohemia) created their own forms of nationalism. One was to attempt to keep their Bohemian identity was the Czech language itself. It became a rallying point, much like a flag. It was used as a means to communicate traditional values of the nation.
Smetana gained a prize and much success from his patriotic opera The Brandenburgers in Bohemia during this nationalistic movement.
In 1867 there was so much political turmoil that the government recanted on a promise to stage a Czech coronation for Franz Joseph. For this intended coronation Smetana had written Libussa an opera about medieval Bohemia. To which it’s performance had to be withdrawn.
By the end of the century in a matter of 3 years there were 4 changes in government, not a single law was passed. The government attempted to solve all the problems the nation was having by flooding the economy with money by way of building railways and canals.
Ma Vlast written between 1872 and 1879 is a symphonic cycle of tone poems created to celebrate the history, beauty, culture and traditions of the Czech people. He started composing the main theme for the first movement on the day he went deaf.
The movements were composed separately for the most part and performed separately, as well as together in the whole cycle.
In 1939 during the Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia, a live recording was made of MaVlast by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra directed by Vaclav Talich.
In this first live recording the audience erupts into applause after the first movement Vyšehrad. In between movements is shouting and applause, usually considered very inappropriate concert behavior. However after each movement the applause becomes greater and greater.
In 1941 the Nazis banned all performances of Moldau in Prague to try and break the independent spirit of the Czech people.
In response and partly in defense, the Slavs (which included the people of Bohemia) created their own forms of nationalism. One was to attempt to keep their Bohemian identity was the Czech language itself. It became a rallying point, much like a flag. It was used as a means to communicate traditional values of the nation.
Smetana gained a prize and much success from his patriotic opera The Brandenburgers in Bohemia during this nationalistic movement.
In 1867 there was so much political turmoil that the government recanted on a promise to stage a Czech coronation for Franz Joseph. For this intended coronation Smetana had written Libussa an opera about medieval Bohemia. To which it’s performance had to be withdrawn.
By the end of the century in a matter of 3 years there were 4 changes in government, not a single law was passed. The government attempted to solve all the problems the nation was having by flooding the economy with money by way of building railways and canals.
Ma Vlast written between 1872 and 1879 is a symphonic cycle of tone poems created to celebrate the history, beauty, culture and traditions of the Czech people. He started composing the main theme for the first movement on the day he went deaf.
The movements were composed separately for the most part and performed separately, as well as together in the whole cycle.
In 1939 during the Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia, a live recording was made of MaVlast by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra directed by Vaclav Talich.
In this first live recording the audience erupts into applause after the first movement Vyšehrad. In between movements is shouting and applause, usually considered very inappropriate concert behavior. However after each movement the applause becomes greater and greater.
In 1941 the Nazis banned all performances of Moldau in Prague to try and break the independent spirit of the Czech people.