Throughout history, music has been used for many purposes, including the portrayal of a country and its defining elements. Romantic composers inspired Smetana to use unique familiar images of Bohemia to create a national identity through music. Ma Vlast (My Country/homeland) was completed in 1874, amidst a Bohemian struggle for democracy and a booming demand for independence, and addressed the desire of a unified culture and language.
Cultural nationalism was the most successful political force of the 19th century. The Moldau is not only a musical poem, but a patriotic symphonic national anthem embraced by the Bohemian people in an attempt to preserve their culture in the 1870’s, reflecting pride, oppression, and hope. Smetana defines the Moldau as a natural monument with keystone elements of the Bohemian nationalism in the mountain springs that become great rivers, passing through rapids, and imitates the sights and sounds while flowing through the landscape. The sensory journey evokes pride in an oppressed nation with the use of folk melodies, subjects, language, history, rhythms and …show more content…
Again dominated by Catholic Australian rulers, protestant Bohemians rebelled that resulted in thirty years of war throughout Europe. The Bohemians were crushed by German forces and forced to accept their culture and language. However, Bohemians fight for freedom intensified again in 1870’s, which during this time, they embraced Smetana’s Ma Vlast, which includes The Moldau. The Ma Vlast was written to the world, as a reminder of the beauty, culture and destiny of Bohemian’s. Additionally, the Moldau was played in protest against the German invation in March 1939. As a result, Hitler banned all performances of Moldau in Prague in an attempt to break the independent spirit of the Czech
Cultural nationalism was the most successful political force of the 19th century. The Moldau is not only a musical poem, but a patriotic symphonic national anthem embraced by the Bohemian people in an attempt to preserve their culture in the 1870’s, reflecting pride, oppression, and hope. Smetana defines the Moldau as a natural monument with keystone elements of the Bohemian nationalism in the mountain springs that become great rivers, passing through rapids, and imitates the sights and sounds while flowing through the landscape. The sensory journey evokes pride in an oppressed nation with the use of folk melodies, subjects, language, history, rhythms and …show more content…
Again dominated by Catholic Australian rulers, protestant Bohemians rebelled that resulted in thirty years of war throughout Europe. The Bohemians were crushed by German forces and forced to accept their culture and language. However, Bohemians fight for freedom intensified again in 1870’s, which during this time, they embraced Smetana’s Ma Vlast, which includes The Moldau. The Ma Vlast was written to the world, as a reminder of the beauty, culture and destiny of Bohemian’s. Additionally, the Moldau was played in protest against the German invation in March 1939. As a result, Hitler banned all performances of Moldau in Prague in an attempt to break the independent spirit of the Czech