Smetana

The founder of Czech national music and composer of the symphonic poem cycle Ma vlast (My Country).

Life

National music

Born in Bohemia, Smetana studied music in Prague and took part in the Revolutions of 1848. He believed the Czechs should have a national music of their own.

Deafness

He wrote operas such as The Bartered Bride on themes from Czech folk music and history. In 1874 he suddenly went deaf, yet with his hearing completely gone he composed the symphonic poem cycle Ma vlast (My Country), of which "Vltava" is the most famous part.

Vltava

In his last years he lost his sanity, and he died in Prague in 1884.

Legacy

Smetana was the founder of Czech national music, and the Prague Spring International Music Festival opens every year with his Ma vlast (My Country).

Major works & achievements

• Ma vlast (My Country)
• The Bartered Bride

Did you know? Like Beethoven, he completed his most important works after losing his hearing.

Key dates

• 1848Joined the revolution
• 1866Premiere of The Bartered Bride
• 1874Deafness
• 1879Completed Ma vlast (My Country)
• 1884Died