Bedřich Smetana Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

Symphony of Victory in E major, Op. 6Bedřich Smetana31rank/position

Bedrich Smetana(1824-84): Triumphal Symphony in E major Op.6 (1853-54)

Smetana, hailed as the “father of Czech music,” composed his only symphony between 1853 and 1854.

The first movement opens with a brilliant fanfare quoting the Austrian national anthem, the second features pastoral, beautiful melodies, the third dances along with a light, buoyant rhythm, and the fourth is powerful and majestic—together unfolding a rich and varied musical world.

There is an anecdote that Smetana initially intended to dedicate the work to celebrate the marriage of Franz Joseph I, but the dedication was rejected on the grounds that he was Czech.

Although nationalist elements are understated, this is an ambitious work that showcases the talent of the young Smetana.

Dreams – Six Character VignettesBedřich Smetana32rank/position

Smetana ：Reves – 6 Morceaux caracteristique

Dreams – Six Character Pieces (Sny: Six Characteristic Compositions).

No.

1: Lost Happiness; No.

2: Consolation; No.

3: In Bohemia; No.

4: In the Salon; No.

5: By the Castle; No.

6: Bohemian Peasants’ Festival.

Piano: Mariko Tsuboi, performed at Kyoto Aoyama Barocksaal.

String Quartet No. 1 in E minor “From My Life,” Fourth MovementBedřich Smetana33rank/position

String Quartet No. 1 in E minor “From my Life” – Vivace

This is a string quartet composed by Smetana, widely known for The Moldau from Má vlast, and it carries the subtitle From My Life.

Each of the four movements has its own theme, unfolding like a recollection of the composer’s early life.

The first movement is written under the theme “My youthful longing for art, the Romantic atmosphere,” expressing Smetana’s strong yearning for Prague, having been born in Bohemia.

Notable are the viola’s melody, at once passionate and tinged with anxiety and restlessness, and the violin’s flowing harmonies that seem to soothe this tension.

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String Quartet No. 1 in E minor, “From My Life”Bedřich Smetana34rank/position

B. Smetana — String Quartet No. 1 “From my life” / Meccore String Quartet at Wigmore Hall

An autobiographical work that expresses the Czech soul through music—that is the String Quartet No.

1 in E minor, “From My Life.” Composed in 1876, this piece portrays Smetana’s life across four movements.

From the passion of his youth and the joys of his early days, to memories of first love and the tragedy of losing his hearing, his life story is told in the language of sound.

Particularly striking is the ringing in the ears depicted in the fourth movement: a sustained high pitch that conveys Smetana’s anguish and resonates deeply with the listener.

Elements of Czech folk music appear throughout, communicating his love for his homeland.

This work lets you truly feel Smetana’s life—be sure to give it a listen.

String Quartet No. 2 in D minorBedřich Smetana35rank/position

The Smetana Quartet: Bedrich Smetana, String Quartet N.2 in D minor

This is a masterpiece Smetana left in his later years.

Despite suffering from hearing impairment, he expresses intense emotions within a free form in this work.

Consisting of four movements, it is particularly the first movement that depicts mental turmoil and presents a challenge to performers.

Completed in March 1883, the piece later influenced Expressionist music and is said to have inspired Schoenberg.

With its free expression that transcends traditional musical structures and its profound emotion, the work vividly reflects the composer’s inner conflicts and suggests new possibilities for classical music.

Mirada’s aria from the opera DaliborBedřich Smetana36rank/position

”… Jak je mi?” – Kristine Opolais, Smetana – DALIBOR

Milada’s aria “Jak je mi?” from the opera Dalibor.

This is a three-act opera.

Soloist: Latvian soprano Kristine Opolais; Orchestra: Latvian National Opera Symphony Orchestra; Conductor: Mihails Tatarnikov.

Opera “Brandenburgers of Bohemia” – Our time has comeBedřich Smetana37rank/position

B.Smetana: Brandenburgers in Bohemia/Braniboři v Čechách-choir “Our time has come”

“Our time has come” from the opera Braniboři v Čechách (Brandenburgers in Bohemia).

This work depicts the battles leading up to the expulsion of the German Brandenburg army from Prague.

Performed by the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Prague Chamber Choir, conducted by Vladimír Válek.

Overture from the opera “Libuše”Bedřich Smetana38rank/position

Libuše 1/15 (Bedřich Smetana) 1. dějství, předehra / overture

Overture from the opera Libuše.

Although this opera was composed for the coronation of Emperor Franz Joseph I, it was not used and was instead performed at the opening of the Prague National Theatre.

Performed by the Prague National Theatre Orchestra, conducted by Jaroslav Kromholc.

From the opera Libuše, Act III: Finale, Libuše’s AriaBedřich Smetana39rank/position

Gabriela Beňačková *Libuse* (B.Smetana)

From the opera “Libuše”: Act 3, Finale, Libuše’s aria.

Libuše is a woman from Czech legend, and according to the legend, Prague’s history began with her prophecy.

The solo is sung by soprano Gabriela Beňačková.

Overture from the opera “The Kiss”Bedřich Smetana40rank/position

Ouvertüre zu “Der Kuss”

From the opera The Kiss (Hubička): Overture.

A two-act opera with a libretto by the Czechoslovak woman writer Eliška Krásnohorská, based on a novel by Karolina Světlá.

Performed by the Mürztal Symphony Orchestra of Mürzzuschlag.