Vltava by Smetana

Symphonic poem: “Vltava” by Smetana

Context:

Má vlast—“My homeland" In the Czech language, is a collection of six symphonic poems composed by the Czech composer Bedřich Smetana between 1874 and 1879. Even as a collection, the six pieces are always presented individually and considered individual works. The Vltava is the second poem, also the most famous one. It is in the key of E minor, and about 12 minutes long. It was composed between 20 November and 8 December 1874, and was premiered on 4 April 1875. In this piece, Smetana used tone painting to present the voice of one of Bohemia's great rivers.

The Vltava River is the longest river within the Czech Republic and is often considered as the national river of Czech. The composition describes the Vltava River, from the very beginning to the end. The river starts with the two small springs that later joined into a single current. The Vltava River first runs across southeast along the Bohemian Forest, and north across Bohemia, through Český Krumlov, České Budějovice and Prague. It flows through the villages and witnessed the daily lives of the people there. As it swirls into the St John's Rapids and rushes out from the cliff, it widened and finally flows toward Prague. After passing the Vyšehrad, it vanishes into the distance and merged into the Labe.

What is the artist communicating and How?

            Smetana used many musical techniques to visualize the journey of the river. This is a poem that conveys the author’s deep love for this river and his nation. It expressed his pride on the history and beauty of his homeland.

For the first section: the river starts with two springs—one cold and one warm. Flute represented the cold current and created a sense of light and cool. Then Clarinet joined into the piece and plays for the warm current. As the music developed, the music gets louder and thicker, which represents the river getting bigger. Here, the main melody of Vltava appeared for the first time. It is pictured by a very strong and wavy rhythm.

For the second section: the river is passing through the forest. This piece used French horn and trumpet to simulate the trumpets of the hunters. The dense and strong sound of French horn and trumpet pictured the mysterious and dangerous forest.

For the third section: the river passed through the forest and gets to the village where farmer’s wedding is held. This section is presented with a melody of Czekh’s Folk Dances—Polka. The jumping notes and fast beats create a sense of happiness.

For the fourth section: this section visualized the round dance of the mermaids in the night's moonshine. Flute plays for the mermaids and strings plays for the moonshine; together with Clarinet and harp, the orchestra creates a beautiful and peaceful dance scene. As the night ends, it is breaking dawn. The rhythm gets more rapid and jumpy, and then the main melody followed for the second time, even more vigorous than the first time—new day is coming.

For the fifth part: The river gets to the St John's Rapids, an area that is really precipitous. This section used a lot of sharp notes of violin and brasses instruments to simulate river's fast pace, also the sound of the waves beating the rocks. The rapid and unorganized rhythm created a sense of stress and dangerous. As the river flows, it gets to a cliff and the orchestra creates a sudden pause in the piece to simulate the water rushing into the air and falls.

For the seventh section: As the river finally rushed out of the rapids and approaches the Prague Castle, melody changes from soft, and dim to bright and strong, as if the river gallops forward magnificently, and full of the joy of victory. This section represents the history of Czech, and conveyed a sense of solemn and majesty, and also a sense of welcoming and pride.

The entire symphony ends as the river flows away.

Why I found it beautiful:

There has never been such a song that depicts a river so specifically. Smetana combined the melody with the actual scenery along side the river. It was created based on the history of Czechs fighting against the ruling of foreign nations, and also the magnificent scenery and culture of the nation. The entire poem personalizes the river and evokes the patriotic emotion inside of all the citizens. At 1874, Smetana was deaf, but he continued to composite regardless of the difficulties. The entire set of symphonic poems, My Homeland, was created while Smetana was suffering from the deafness. Among the melodies, Smetana’s patriotic heart can be felt easily.

Vltava River is the national river for Czech. This reminds me of the Yellow River of China. As a Chinese, I love my country and consider the yellow river as the spirit of my nation. There are also some Chinese songs that sang about the yellow river. During the period of Anti-Japanese War, these songs encouraged many generations, young or old, to fight against the difficulties and helped them get through the tough time. It is surprising how much emotion that music can carry and how much message it can convey. Crossed the borders, they inspired numerous patriots to fight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY0BJOcEiOM