dances) together with the peculiarly novel harmonic and mod-
ulatory scheme. The dances best known outside of Bohemia
are thePolka[325] and theFuriant; the former being used so
frequently by Smetana and Dvo[vr]ák that it has attained an
international status. The first of the above group, Fibich (1850-
1900), was a composer of marked versatility—there being extant
over seven hundred works in every form—and no little origi-
nality. Many of his pianoforte pieces have distinct charm and
atmosphere and should be better known. Fibich was strongly
influenced by Schumann, and there is found in his music the
same note of fantastic freedom prominent in the German mas-
ter. But the first impression of Bohemian music upon the world
in general was made by Smetana (1824-1884). An ardent fol-
lower of Liszt, he definitely succeeded in the incorporation of
Bohemian traits with the current musical idiom just as Liszt
had done with Hungarian folk-music. Smetana’s style is thor-
oughly original, his form is free yet coherent and he has a color
sense and power of orchestral description peculiar to his race.
Bohemia is one of the most picturesque countries in the world
and the spirit of its woodlands, streams and mountains is al-
ways plainly felt in Bohemian music. The Bohemians are an
out-of-door people with an inborn instinct for music (with its
basic factors of rhythm and sound) by which they express the
vigorous exuberance of their temperament.[326] Smetana’s sig-
nificant work lies in his numerous operas, his symphonic poems
and in the remarkable String Quartet in E minor entitled “Aus
meinem Leben.” The operas deal with subjects so strongly na-
tional that they can have but little vogue outside their own
country. However,Prodana Nevesta—The Bartered Bride—has
been universally recognized as one of the genuine comic operas
in modern times and its spirited Overture (the first theme on a
fugal basis) is played the world over. His six Symphonic Poems,
comprised under the titleMein Vaterland, are works of consid-
erable power and brilliant orchestral treatment. Perhaps the
finest sections areVltava(Moldau), celebrating the beauties of
Bohemia’s sacred river, andVy[vs]ehrad, a realistic description
of the national fortress at Prague.[327] The Quartet in E minor,
noted for its freedom and intimacy of style, has become a classic.
Whenever it was performed Smetana wished the sub-title “Aus
Meinem Leben” to be printed on the program; for, as he says in
a letter to a friend, “My quartet is no mere juggling with tones;
instead I have wished to present the hearer with pictures of my
ann
(Ann)
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