Smetana, Bedrich: Early Piano Works

This volume of Smetana’s piano works contains 3 early cycles from the years 1844 to 1849. At this time, the composer was studying music theory and composition with Josef Proksch , a teacher in Prague, and himself gave private piano lessons to the family of Prince Leopold Thun.

The ‘Bagatelles et impromptus’ are the result of the twenty-year- old’s first foray into composing a cycle of pieces. The ‘ Six Morceaux caractéristiques ’ op. 1, freer in form and technically more demanding, mark the beginning of Smetana’s artistic relationship with Franz Liszt, who recommended this work for publication (1851). ‘ Wedding scenes’ were composed as a present for   the wedding of one of Smetana’s pupils, Maria Thun-Aehrenthal . The programmatic cycles are complemented by five early polkas, which have remained popular up to this day.

The musical text of the volume is based on the Complete Edition of Bedrich Smetana’s Piano Works and contains fingering and pedalling suggestions by the pianist and Smetana interpreter Jan Novotný.

Editor: Jan Novotný

Content:
Bagatelles and Impromptus:
Innocence
Depression
Idyll
Longing
Joy
Fairy Tale
Love
Quarrel

Six Characteristic Pieces Op. 1:
In the forest
Rising Passion
Shepherdess
Longing
Warrior
Despair

Wedding Scenes:
Wedding Procession
Bride and Groom
Wedding Feast - Dance

First Polkas:
Louisa's Polka
Dahlia Polka
Souvenir of Plzen
Polka in E-flat major