Vltava (River Moldau)
‘Two springs pour forth in the shade of the Bohemian forest, one warm and gushing, the other cold and peaceful. Coming through Bohemia’s valleys, they grow into a mighty stream. Through the thick woods it flows as the merry sounds of a hunt and the notes of the hunter’s horn are heard ever closer. It flows through grass-grown pastures and lowlands where a wedding feast is being celebrated with song and dance. At night, wood and water nymphs revel in its sparkling waves. Reflected on its surface are fortresses and castles—witnesses of bygone days of knightly splendor and the vanished glory of martial times. The Moldau swirls through the St. John Rapids, finally flowing on in majestic peace toward Prague to be welcomed by historic Vys˘ehrad. Then it vanishes far beyond the poet’s gaze.’’ – Smetana, from his program notes.
This video is mostly for pure enjoyment, but also shows how works such as this can be incorporated into today's world...even if it is a stretch in this case.
This is the most popular of the 6 symphonic poems and the most widely performed alone.
The Vltava river flows directly through the heart of Prague.
The Vltava contains 8 different sections:
Two Springs
Flutes begin with a flowing melodic passage which represent the origin of the Moldeau's source, this is soon joined by the clarinets. The harp and strings (pizzicato) are heard periodically representing drops of water. Lower strings, running notes lead to the next section.
The Vltava river flows directly through the heart of Prague.
The Vltava contains 8 different sections:
Two Springs
Flutes begin with a flowing melodic passage which represent the origin of the Moldeau's source, this is soon joined by the clarinets. The harp and strings (pizzicato) are heard periodically representing drops of water. Lower strings, running notes lead to the next section.
The River
The flute is eventually joined by the clarinets and violas as the current grows before the river is in full swell and the current is carried forward in the cellos and violas. It is at this point that the main river theme enters in the violins, an adaptation of an Italian Renaissance folk tune and the melody which later became the State of Israel’s national anthem, Hatikvah.
The flute is eventually joined by the clarinets and violas as the current grows before the river is in full swell and the current is carried forward in the cellos and violas. It is at this point that the main river theme enters in the violins, an adaptation of an Italian Renaissance folk tune and the melody which later became the State of Israel’s national anthem, Hatikvah.
Forest Hunt
The sound of loud, dominating french horns and trumpets, portraying the calls of hunting horns, represents the great fields through which a horse-back hunt proceeds. The small forests which the hunters pass are represented by the quieter contrasting passages by strings and woodwinds.
The sound of loud, dominating french horns and trumpets, portraying the calls of hunting horns, represents the great fields through which a horse-back hunt proceeds. The small forests which the hunters pass are represented by the quieter contrasting passages by strings and woodwinds.
Peasant Wedding
The measured, rhythmic nature of this section shows the tradition and order of the proceedings, which while retaining a happy and light hearted character, it’s faster than the precious section which is depicted by violins and later joined by triangle strokes. This section is very dance like and has a polka feel to it.
The measured, rhythmic nature of this section shows the tradition and order of the proceedings, which while retaining a happy and light hearted character, it’s faster than the precious section which is depicted by violins and later joined by triangle strokes. This section is very dance like and has a polka feel to it.
Moonlight: Dance of Water Nymphs
Woodwinds, sustained tones.
Flute passage (similar to opening of work).
Muted violins in high register with a legato melody.
Intensification.
Violins present the river theme.
River theme reappears.
Woodwinds, sustained tones.
Flute passage (similar to opening of work).
Muted violins in high register with a legato melody.
Intensification.
Violins present the river theme.
River theme reappears.
- The river has a calm, dreamlike appearance with mysterious and playful water-nymphs dancing in the moonlight, promoting a fairytale-like mood. A serene legato melody is heard with high, muted violins.
St. John’s Rapids
Full orchestra, FF dynamic markings. Brass plays, timpani roll, piccolo, cymbal crashes.
Full orchestra, FF dynamic markings. Brass plays, timpani roll, piccolo, cymbal crashes.
- The river is passing the Rapids of St. John near Prague and a warning of danger can be heard by the piccolo. The sound becomes overwhelming and deafening as the Moldau passes through the rapids.
- The brass and woodwinds exchange dialogue that sounds agitated, build to a climax then wind down to almost nothing.
Vysehrad Theme
The slower majestic chorale-theme of Vyšehrad,played by the brass and woodwind family, is the symbol of the Czech nations, the Moldau flows unstoppably onwards to the Elbe. It culminates in a crescendo emphasizing the splendor of the nation.It portrays Vysehrad, the ancient castle in a hymn-like melody.
The slower majestic chorale-theme of Vyšehrad,played by the brass and woodwind family, is the symbol of the Czech nations, the Moldau flows unstoppably onwards to the Elbe. It culminates in a crescendo emphasizing the splendor of the nation.It portrays Vysehrad, the ancient castle in a hymn-like melody.
Full orchestra comes back in, playing the river theme in a major key. Tempo is taken much faster.
The brass and woodwinds are the dominant instruments.
The music again winds down, allowing the listener to image themselves seeing the river fade off into the distance, then two ending chords resound throughout the orchestra ending the movement.
The brass and woodwinds are the dominant instruments.
The music again winds down, allowing the listener to image themselves seeing the river fade off into the distance, then two ending chords resound throughout the orchestra ending the movement.