The fifth CD of the complete piano works of Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884) takes us back to the world of the composer’s student years. (Smetana wrote all the featured – and surprisingly mature – pieces before he had reached the age of twenty.) He introduces himself as a passionate dancer; the polkas, so typical of Smetana, as well as gallopades, waltzes and quadrilles, bear witness to the hectic social and musical life he led during his studies in Prague and Plzeň, where he was a sought-after pianist and was able to intensively develop his talent. The first preserved composition is the Louisen Polka, followed by the Georginen Polka and Aus dem Studentenleben (From Student Life). The three Impromptus (1841-42) and Bagatelles et Impromptus (1844) are the first attempts to create compositions of a more serious nature and reflect Smetana’s inspiration by his musical idols (Chopin, Liszt, Schumann). Even though young and a self-taught pianist, these early works reveal Smetana as a singular and inspired composer. The dance-like vigour and simple tenderness of these miniatures are rendered by the energetic pianist Jitka Čechová with an admirable naturalness and grace.
Reviews
”Cechová certainly understands this repertoire and she pays due respect to Smetana’s youthful efforts. Throughout this volatile repertoire, her virtuosity is impressive and she clearly commands a Romantic tone…The recorded sound is on the hard side, but this is certainly a very collectable issue.”
BBC Music Magazine, December 2011
”It is always melodious and as music to unwind to it has much to recommend it, not least Supraphon’s good, solid audio and Čechová’s attractively romantic pianism.”
MusicWeb International, 28th August 2013
Bedřich Smetana
Bagatelles and Impromptus (Bagatelles et Impromptus)
1. Innocence (L’innocence) 02:00
2. Dejection (L’abattement) 00:58
3. Idyll (Idylle) 01:06
4. Longing (Le désir) 02:29
5. Joy (La joie) 00:44
6. Fairy Tale (Le conte) 02:36
7. Love (L’amour) 02:28
8. Quarrel (La discorde) 01:41
Bedřich Smetana
9. Gallopp in D major for Piano 01:00
Bedřich Smetana
10. Galopp di bravoura for Piano 02:41
Bedřich Smetana
11. Louisa’s Polka (Louisen Polka) 04:10
Bedřich Smetana
12. Georginen Polka in D major (Dahlia-Polka) 04:37
Bedřich Smetana
13. Memory of Plzeň (Erinnerung an Pilsen) 03:11
Bedřich Smetana
14. From a Student’s Life (Aus dem Studentenleben) 02:33
Bedřich Smetana
15. Impromptu in E flat minor 06:56
Bedřich Smetana
16. Impromptu in B minor 04:58
Bedřich Smetana
17. Impromptu in A flat major 03:41
Bedřich Smetana
18. Mazurka Capriccio in C sharp minor for Piano 03:30
Bedřich Smetana
19. Duo without Words (Duo sans mots) 05:38
Bedřich Smetana
20. Waltzes (Walzer) 08:05
Bedřich Smetana
21. Quadrille in F major 07:29
Bedřich Smetana
22. Quadrille in B flat major 06:22
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