[Smetana’s Piano Works] A curated selection of gems by the composer of the masterpiece “The Moldau.”

Three Salon Polkas, Op. 7Bedřich Smetana

B. Smetana: 3 Polkas de salon op. 7

Bedřich Smetana, the great composer born in the Czech lands.

Considered the founder of the Czech national school, he devoted himself to the development of his homeland’s music and culture.

Three Salon Polkas, Op.

7 is an early piano work Smetana composed with thoughts of his wife.

Each of the three polkas is written in a different key, and the shifting tonalities seem to reflect the complexity of Smetana’s emotions at the time of composition.

While it incorporates virtuosic elements, its accessible melodies are a hallmark—making it a work I would recommend to anyone studying the piano.

Six Albums of Spelling, Op. 2Bedřich Smetana

Bedřich Smetana – 6 Album Leaves, Op.2 (Čechová)

“Six Album Leaves, Op.

2” is a gem among the piano works left by Bedřich Smetana, the Czech national composer.

Consisting of six short pieces that distill his musical talent and sensibility, the set achieves a cohesive whole while allowing each piece its own distinct character.

From gentle lyricism and lively rhythms to introspective depth, it offers a richly woven world of emotions.

Through Smetana’s music, why not explore the culture and spirit of 19th-century Czechia?

Czech Dances, Book IIBedřich Smetana

B. Smetana – Czech Dances, Book 2 (Firkušný)

Bedřich Smetana, a composer who inherited the traditions of Czech folk music and created uniquely original piano works.

His Czech Dances, Book II consists of ten dances—a gem of a collection that pays homage to Czech folk music while elevating it into the realm of classical art.

Each piece has its own distinctive character and rhythm, inviting listeners into a diverse musical world.

Through his music, Smetana expresses both Czech national identity and his affection for his own roots.

This collection is highly recommended for those who wish to savor the beauty of folk-tinged melodies and harmonies.

Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 15Bedřich Smetana

Bedřich Smetana – Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 15

The great Czech composer Bedřich Smetana not only excelled in opera and orchestral music, but was also an accomplished pianist who left behind numerous beautiful piano works.

Among them, his Piano Trio in G minor, Op.

15—into which Smetana poured his grief over the loss of his daughter—is a profoundly moving masterpiece filled with pain, sorrow, and fierce passion.

Strongly reflecting the characteristics of Romantic music, this work resonates deeply with listeners.

It is a gem I highly recommend not only to those already familiar with classical music, but also to first-time listeners.

Macbeth and the WitchesBedřich Smetana

B. Smetana – Macbeth and the Witches, JB 1:75 (Maxián)

Bedřich Smetana, a Czech composer, is hailed as the founder of the Czech national school and made major contributions to the development of his homeland’s music and culture.

His 1859 piano piece Macbeth and the Witches depicts a scene from Shakespeare’s masterpiece Macbeth and, as part of Smetana’s creative output, contributed to shaping Czech cultural identity.

In this work, Smetana superbly conveys the tension and mystery of the scene in which Macbeth receives prophecies about his fate from the witches.

Note by note, the piece evokes Macbeth’s heavy destiny and the supernatural forces surrounding him, making it a romantic and dramatic work.