Bedřich Smetana is an honored composer, musician, teacher and conductor. He is called the founder of the Czech National School of Composers. Today, Smetana's compositions are heard everywhere in the best theaters in the world.
Childhood and youth Bedřich Smetana
The parents of the outstanding composer had nothing to do with creativity. He was born into a brewer's family. Maestro's date of birth is March 2, 1824.
He was brought up in a German-speaking state. The authorities tried to completely eradicate the Czech language. Despite this, the Smetana family spoke only Czech. The mother, who regularly studied with Bedrich, also taught her son this particular language.
The boy's musical inclinations were discovered early. He quickly mastered playing several musical instruments, and at the age of eight he composed his first composition. The father, who watched over his son, wanted him to become an economist, but Bedrich had completely different plans for life.
The creative path of maestro Bedřich Smetana
After graduating from the legal lyceum, the guy visited Prague. In this charming city, he sat down at the piano to bring his skills to a professional level.
During these years, the honored composer Liszt was involved in its financing. Thanks to the support of his colleague, he published several original compositions and opened a music school.
In 1856 he took up a position as a conductor in Gothenburg. There he worked as a teacher, as well as a musician in a chamber ensemble. Upon returning to Prague, the maestro opens another music school. He aims to promote Czech music.
He quickly moved up the career ladder. Soon he took the position of chief conductor of the national Czech opera house. There he was lucky to meet Antonio Dvorak. An impressive number of Smetana's operas were staged on the stage of the national theater.
In 1874 he became very ill. Rumor has it that the maestro contracted syphilis. At that time, venereal disease was practically not treated. Over time, he began to lose his hearing. Deteriorating health was the main reason that he left the post of conductor at the National Theatre.
Details of the personal life of the maestro
The love of his life was the charming Katerzhina Kolarzhova. She, like her popular husband, was directly related to creativity. Katerzhina worked as a pianist.
The woman gave birth to the composer's children. The maestro really hoped that his eldest daughter Friederika would follow in his footsteps. According to Smetana, from an early age, the girl showed a genuine interest in music. She grasped everything on the fly, and could easily repeat the song she had just heard.
Unfortunately, grief befell the family. Three of the four children have died. The family took the loss very hard. The composer was seized by depression, from which he could not get out on his own.
The emotions that Smetana experienced at that time resulted in the creation of the first significant chamber work: a trio in G minor for piano, violin and cello.
Interesting facts about the composer
- The musical poem "Vltava" (Moldau) is an unofficial Czech anthem.
- An asteroid is named after him.
- Several monuments have been erected to him in the Czech Republic.
Death of the composer Bedřich Smetana
In 1883, due to prolonged depression, he was placed in a psychiatric hospital, which was located in Prague. He died on May 12, 1884. His body rests in the Visegrad cemetery.
