Bedrich Smetana

Bedrich Smetana was born in Bohemia on 2 March 1824 and died in Prague on 12 May 1884. Generally regarded as the father of Czech music, he also wrote the work which most people regard as the father of Czech operas - The Bartered Bride. Nonetheless, his output was richly varied despite his deafness in later life.

A selection of M&V articles about Bedrich Smetana

Ensemble. 2011 Specials - A roundup of London concerts enjoyed by Bill Newman, featuring recitals by Alice Sara Ott, the Emerson Quartet, Martin Fröst and Roland Pontinen, the Orchestra of the Polish EU Presidency, Kreeta-Julia Heikkilä and Roope Grondahl, and Martino Tirimo's Rosamunde Trio

Ensemble. Airy Textures - The Piatti String Quartet, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Tremendously Exciting - The Dante Quartet at London's Wigmore Hall, reviewed by Bill Newman

CD Spotlight. Many Levels - Chamber music by Mozart and Smetana, heard by Howard Smith. '... judged to perfection ...'

Ensemble. A Blistering Whirlwind - More from the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Love's Eternal Empire - Music by Janácek and Suk impresses Bill Newman

Nicely Judged - A recital by harpist Anneleen Lenaerts impresses Mike Wheeler

Bizarre Perception - Alistair Hinton discusses a recent article on English music by David Hamilton

Music for Musicians Only? - The public turns a deaf ear to improvised music. As for classical music, Jan Dahlstedt claims that having abandoned improvisation, classical music entered a sidetrack from which it has never escaped, thus badly stifling creative progress. If he is guilty of heresy or may have a point, read on and judge for yourself.

DVD Spotlight. Mozart and Smetana - The Nobilis Trio at Steinway Hall, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... musically pleasurable.'

Ensemble. A Majestic Reading - Mike Wheeler is impressed by Sibelius, Bach and Smetana from Pietari Inkinen and the CBSO

Ensemble. Rapt and Radiant - Sarah Connolly, The Hallé Orchestra and Mark Elder visit Derby, and Mike Wheeler was in the audience

Ensemble. New Light - A performance by Christian Knapp and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. An original statement - Claudio Bohorquez plays Dvorák, appreciated by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Muscular performance - Rex Harley is left breathless listening to violinist Chloë Hanslip

Ensemble. Czech spirit - Lawrence Budmen is impressed by Zdenek Macal and the New World Symphony

Ensemble. Matched to perfection - Rex Harley closes his eyes and enjoys the Gould Piano Trio

Four is hardly a crowd - Bill Newman enjoys an evening's entertainment by Piano 40 at London's Purcell Room, Wednesday 5 February 2003

Ensemble. Hour of Magic - Malcolm Miller is enthralled by seldom-heard East European music

CD Spotlight - Definitely among the greats. '... Podvalová's Sárka is a celebrated interpretation.' A Marie Podvalová operatic recital, with Roderic Dunnett