Ma Vlast

In these works Smetana combined the symphonic poem form pioneered by Franz Liszt with the ideals of nationalistic music which were current in the late nineteenth century. Each poem depicts some aspect of the countryside, history or legends of Czechia.

The first poem, Vysehrad (The high citadel), composed 1874, describes the great castle of that name near Prague which was once the seat of the Kings of Bohemia.

The second and best-known, Vltava (The Moldau), also from 1874, describes the course of that river from near its origin down to Prague.

The third poem, Sarka, from 1875, relates a folk tale of a knight and an Amazon girl.

Fourth is From Bohemia's Fields and Forests, composed 1875, which depicts the beauty of the Bohemian countryside.

The last two poems, Tabor (from 1875) and Blanik (1879), are inspired by history and legends from the Hussite wars.