Ambition and Struggle

Young Smetana’s musical talent was obvious, but would that be enough to get his life on track? Presented by Donald Macleod.

The title of Smetana’s most popular work, ‘Ma Vlast’, gives us a clue to what drove him through much of his career. It translates as ‘My Homeland’ and the music is Smetana’s ardent tribute to the Czech sprit of his beloved Bohemia. The composer was deeply involved with his people’s struggle for cultural and political independence from the Hapsburg empire. He pledged his art to those aims, and he even took to the streets to fight on the barricades, on one occasion.

Smetana’s life was also beset by great misfortunes. When times were hardest, he always turned to music, even after illness made composing an almost impossible exertion. He created some of his most extraordinary works under the most painful circumstances. This week, Donald Macleod follows Smetana as he grows from naïve revolutionary into one of the foundational figures in Czech music.

In Monday’s programme, Smetana arrives in Prague as a promising young musician but, with no means of support, he quickly begins to struggle. The composer is faced with many challenges and is forced to learn how to carry on in the face of overwhelming tragedy.

The Bartered Bride: Overture
BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jiří Bělohlávek

Triumphal symphony, II. Largo maestoso
Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Theodore Kuchar

Polka: Memory of Plzeň
Jan Novotný, piano

Wedding Scenes(orch. F. Hertl)
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Robert Stankovsky

Piano Trio in G minor: II. Allegro ma non agitato & III. Presto
Trio Wanderer