The New Zealand Herald Premier Series: Má Vlast

Conductor: James Judd

Smetana: Má vlast

Smetana’s marvellous musical depiction of the Vltava river, also known as The Moldau is, justly, much-loved. What is often forgotten, though, is that it’s only one part of Má vlast (My Homeland), a cycle of six symphonic poems about Bohemia, today the western part of the Czech Republic.

His homeland inspired Smetana to paint a grand panorama of history and landscape. Legends of fearsome warriors; the mighty fortress Vyšehrad, the seat of ancient kings; the fresh, bucolic countryside; the battles of the Hussite Wars of the 15th century; the river binding them all together. A complete performance is a rarity that is not to be missed.