0:00 - 1. Zaniklé štěstí (Faded Happiness)
4:17 - 2. Útěcha (Consolation)
8:40 - 3. V Čechách (In Bohemia)
13:44 - 4. V saloně (In the Salon)
17:45 - 5. Před hradem (By the Castle)
24:02 - 6. Slavnost českých venkovanů (Czech Peasants' Festival)
Arguably the most important piano cycle by Smetana was composed simultaneously with the first symphonic poem of Má Vlast in 1875. Aside from being his triumphant return to piano after having not composed for it for 12 years, it is also a way of expressing gratitude towards his former pupils who have helped him cope with his hearing loss and financial problems. Because of an unfortunate decision by Smetana's publisher Emanuel Starý the pieces are nowadays played in a different order - originally In the Salon was the third piece and In Bohemia the fourth. The original order would better justify the reflective nature of the cycle: the first part is a throwback to Smetana's days of a virtuoso pianist, in the second he is contemplating about his personal misfortune. In the Salon is with its constantly interrupted sighs not at all the shallow charming piece as suggested by its title, but rather a painful meet with reality. The following three parts serve as a catharsis and divertion from his own misgivings to dance rhythms and generosity of his motherland. The last piece is a hair raising show stopper, with peasants being used as a symbol for greater future.
Composer - Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884)
Piano - Ivan Klánský
Year of recoring - 1996
Upload authorized by Ivan Klánský. Sheet music is public domain.
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