Smetana: March of the National Guard

Recorded at the Martinek Studio, Prague, on November 26, 27, 29 and 30, and December 17–19, 2012. The sixth part of the Bedřich Smetana complete piano works series presents pieces composed in the 1840s, the time of the composer’s intensive studies and the outset of his independent artistic career. Dedicated to various persons (including Kateřina Kolařova, Smetana’s great love and future wife) are the Stammbuchblatter, lovely commemorative album leaves. Some of the pieces (Romance in B flat major, Woodland Feelings and Impressions) were published immediately; others were revised by Smetana and published later. Also dating from this period are the composer’s first larger virtuoso pieces (Allegro capriccioso, Caprice in G minor) and major work, the cycle Six morceaux caracteristiques, Op. 1. Smetana sent the autograph to Franz Liszt, who accepted the dedication with pleasure. The nimble hands of the pianist Jitka Čechova make ring the sheer virtuosity and engrossing poetics of the young Smetana’s piano works.