Greatest Tone Poem? Don't Forget to Consider Smetana's "From Bohemia's Woods and Valleys"
John GibbonsSmetana’s Ma Vlast (Read Wikipedia | Play recording) constitutes the greatest orchestral score between Berlioz and Brahms. I don’t raise an eyebrow if you would like to correct that to “between Beethoven and Mahler”. And the jewel in the crown is “From Bohemia’s Woods and Valleys”. (Czech: Z českých luhů a hájů)
Ma Vlast as a whole has more coherence than most symphonies; not only that, “The Moldau”, “Sarka”, and “From Bohemia’s Woods and Valleys” constitute miniature symphonies of their own; “The Moldau” is a four movement symphony, where the scherzo is the peasant wedding and the slow movement the wood nymphs…although I prefer to think of that exquisite A-flat major passage as amorous lovers floating by, probably because A-flat was Beethoven’s “amorous” key, and because Beethoven generally represents the standard against which other composers are measured…his conceptions have assumed a sort of central position. Consider for instance Mozart’s great c minor piano fantasy. How often have you heard it described as “Beethovenian”, for instance? Anyway, leaving Beethoven aside, “Sarka” is a miniature five movement program symphony (ever notice how often program symphonies have five movements? “Pastoral”, “Fantastique”, etc.).
“From Bohemia’s Woods and Valleys” is a symphony as well, but not as obvious a construction as “Moldau” and “Sarka”, although it is in fact more deeply motivically integrated. The awsome wall of sound representing mighty nature that engulfs the listener at the very beginning generates most of the material for the rest of the composition. Unlike “Moldau”, the movements in “Woods and Valleys” are not easily separable; Nature is constantly re-inventing itself, from terrible majesty to warm beauty to proliferative, burgeoning life to a great epiphany when nature collides with humankind. The shepherd girl’s pastoral piping echoes nature’s sounds; she is a sort of emanation of nature herself. As such, she doesn’t provide dramatic conflict. The institution of social, communal life of the people is necessary to provide dynamic contrast, the people being represently by a strangely fierce polka in nature’s key of g minor. And g minor is Smetana’s “intense” key, consider for instance his great requiem trio for his daughter Bedriska.
The structure of the piece is essentially 1. Mighty nature 2. Nature in its benignant aspect, the Shepherdess. 3. Nature as a continual process of renewal; proliferative nature, represented as a fugue, which is both fitting and ironic. Fitting, because no musical strategy is as much about growth, variation, replication, and proliferativeness as the fugue, ironic becasue fugue is the most intellectual and learned musical device. Nature is many things, but it is not intellectual! Apropos this irony, I’d like to quote Arnold Schoenberg: “The most beautiful birdsong is never music, but the simplest modulation, accomplished correctly, is already music.” 4. The intrusion of human institutions, represented by a polka, the musical symbol of the Czech people. 5. Humans and nature transcend their inherent limitations and spiritually unite in a oneness. Does my description sound “artsy-fartsy”? I assure you, the music is not.
The piece is sublime in both the scarifying real meaning of the word, and also in the casual meaning which loosely means transcendant. By the way, Ma Vlast isn’t so much six loosely connected masterpieces as it is one masterpiece in six necessary and dependant parts. Play the whole thing, in order, please.
Listening Choices
Rafael Kubelik’s triumphant return to the 1990 Prague Spring festival. This performance is briefly featured at the end of the Oscar-winning Czech film Kolya as the film’s protagonist resumes his rightful place in the cello section of the Czech phil.
Reader Comments (11)
Great blog post! I have to tell my father about this website. Great job. It is so beautiful! Style, personality and beautiful ，the theme of our young people! They put clothes and trousers with a great personality!
By Jordan Retro 2
I was reading that the poems where made from 1874 and 1879, it is very interesting the story behind these symphonic poems.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
buy viagra
You made some good points there. I did a search on the topic and found most people will agree with your blog.
I am apreciating swiss made valjoux 7750 replica omega seamaster
it very much.I have never read such a lovely article and I am coming back tomorrow to continue mont blanc blancpain carrousel black flying tourbillon swiss replica watch
reading.
This is may be the best recording of Smetana's glorious Ma Vlast. Conducted by Rafael Kubelik, who ever champion on perform Smetana's and other Czech composers. And even so, this is one of the best recordings of Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, which was the orchestra of world premiere of Ma Vlast.
Generic Viagra
Also, make sure the design and Cheap Newest Nike Shoes For Salenavigation of your website are up-to-date and looking fresh. If
you haven't had a major re-do or Nike Jordan 12facelift in a couple of years, it's time.If you're
Cheapest Nike Shoes For SalegoodRetro Jordan 14 at
quickly updating it yourself, great! Mark Cheap Vibram Five Fingers Shoes On Saleyour calendar so you don't forget. Get
some help if you need it. It's not Vibram FiveFingers Speeda good use of your time to spend hours
strugglingNike Shoes Discounted Sale with Cheap Jordan Shoesit and your
results may look less than Air Jordan 23 Maxprofessional. Contact me if you need help with this.
Websites are part of whatNike Jordan 11 I do for fine artists to help them keep their art business
going strong.
I think that I might listen it because I think that they were in a game that I played thanks to the recommendation of someone of the viagra online community.
A human problem, the cost of the fake omega watches why so few, if their quality is as good as the original, and why the original replica Panerai Ferrari watches make such a large price tag. The answer to both questions is very basic. Why the original brand name is breitling bentley replica watches one of the leading causes of expensive brand and its products because of advertising and promotional prices. These brands and companies spend a lot of money to use, and agree with their particular brand and product top star.
Burberry, maker of the classic trench coat and plaid scarf, Coach Store Online has transformed itself into one of the hottest brands in fashion today making Coach Outlet Online Store . The Coach Factory Outlet is a mainstay of high fashion, so much so many companies have started making replica Coach Factory Outlet Store.
Coach Factory was founded in 1856 by 21 year old Thomas Burberry a apprentice to a country draper in England. He started by opening a outfitters shop. Originally known as an outdoor wear manufacturer, Coach Outlet Online Store invented Gabardine which is a breathable, waterproof fabric that is made by waterproofing the yarn prior to weaving. This was patented in 1888. Coach Factory Outlet Online Most of the original line was directed towards outerwear and military uniforms. In 1901 the familiar Burberry Equestrian Knight was developed and registered as a trademark. In the 1920's theCoach Factory Outlet Online which had been used as a lining for their trench coat was trademarked. It has since become synonymous with Coach Outlet Online. These distinctive trench coats have been seen in movies. For example Humphrey Bogart wore one in Casablanca, Peter Sellers in the Pink Panther films, and Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. And this is how the burberry handbag and replica burberry handbags craze iniated.
The Coach Outlet Onlineentered the scene around strong around 1999 when the appointment of Italian designed Robert Menchetti to the division renewed the brands popularity. Prior to this it was slumping because of a very conservative image and an Asian recession which had always been a stronghold for the company. But soon Coach Outlet will be seen worldwide.
Such notables as David Beckham, Coach Factory Tamara Beckwith, and Spice Girl Victoria Adams Coach Bag fully embraced the new approach along with Prince William and Kate Moss. It looks as if the Coach Outlet Store is finally among the elite chic of the fashion world.
A few of the more notableCheap Coach Purses styles include :
The Ultra-chic Burberry Blue Check handbag is compact, lightweight and ideal for today's fashionable woman. Coach Purse Outlet Online Attractive blue, white, ivory tan and black cover vinyl-coated canvas in the familiar Coach Outlet Stores is accented with tan leather trim. Full-length zippered top opens to reveal a canvas lined interior. Matching tan leather strap fits comfortably on the shoulder. Blue Check Coach Outlet Coupon is 10-1/4 inches wide, 4-3/4 inches high and 1-3/4 inches deep. Shoulder strap is 26-inches long. This handbag typically sells for approximately 450 dollars. Truly a stunningCoach Factory Store Online . A replica burberry handbag of the same style will run you about 100 dollars.
Cheap Coach Bags Check Snowdrop handbag is compact, sleekly styled and just right for today's busy woman. This colors of pink, white and tan for the Candy Check cover in vinyl-coated canvas. It is accented with matching tan leather piped trim.
Christmas sale <h1>coach handbags outlet</h1>
So much that one cannot bear to part with it <h1>cheap designer handbags</h1>
cheap designer handbags<h1>cheap coach handbags</h1>
Single product sales <h1>authentic jerseys suppliers</h1>
Delicate and beautiful <h1>cheap coach bags</h1>
Buy want to buy products <h1>coach outlet</h1>
Design Division <h1>coach outlet store online</h1>
Beautiful and durable <h1>coach factory outlet</h1>
Good quality affordable <h1>nfl jerseys suppliers</h1>
The most fashionable cheap <h1>cheap nfl jerseys</h1>
Spot buying <h1>coach bags on sale</h1> Welcome to buy
73<h1>Louis Vuitton Bags</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Store Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Purses Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Online Outlet Store</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet Store Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Store Online</h1>
<h1>Cheap Louis Vuitton Bags</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Store</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Purse</h1>
<h1>Authentic Louis Vuitton Handbags</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet</h1>
<h1>Chanel Bags</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Bags</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Outlet</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Bag</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet Store</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Online Store</h1>
<h1>Coach Purse Outlet</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Bags</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Bags</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet Store</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlets</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Stores Online</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton USA</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Online</h1>
<h1>www.louisvuitton.com</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Bags</h1>
<h1>Coach Purse Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Purses Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Bags</h1>
<h1>Coach Online Store</h1>
<h1>Coach Handbags Outlet</h1>
<h1>Chanel Outlet Store</h1>
<h1>Cheap Louis Vuitton</h1>
<h1>Chanel Outlet</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Sunglasses</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>LV Bags</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Store Online</h1>
<h1>Coco Chanel Bags</h1>
<h1>Chanel Handbags</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Purses</h1>
<h1>Coach Handbags Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Outlet</h1>
<h1>Chanel Outlet Store Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Handbags</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet</h1>
<h1>Burberry Outlet</h1>
<h1>Burberry Scarf</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Store Online</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Bag</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet Store</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory</h1>
<h1>Coach Purses Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Bags</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Store</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton</h1>
<h1>Coach Online Outlet Store</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Bags</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Store Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Store</h1>
<h1>www.louisvuitton.com</h1>
<h1>Coach Handbags Factory Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Online Factory Store</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Store Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Handbag Outlet Store</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Stores</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Store Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Store Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Handbags</h1>
<h1>Coach Handbag Outlet</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton</h1>
<h1>Cheap Coach Bags</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Store Online</h1>
<h1>Chanel Bags</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Handbags</h1>
<h1>www.louisvuitton.com</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Online</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Purses</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Chanel Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlets</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Handbags</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Store Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Store Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Purses</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Chanel Bags</h1>
<h1>Coach Store Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory</h1>
<h1>Coach Bags</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Handbags</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Store</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Store</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Purses</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Purses</h1>
<h1>Coach Online Outlet Store</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Bags Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Stores Online</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Handbags</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Online Sale</h1>
<h1>Coach Store Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Handbags</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Handbags</h1>
<h1>Coach Purse Outlet</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Online Store</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coco Chanel Handbags</h1>
<h1>Burberry Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Online Factory Store</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Store Online</h1>