Vyšehrad
Vltava
Šárka
Z českých luhů a hájů
Tábor
Blaník

Bedich Smetana's cycle "Má vlast" ("My Country") is not only the culmination of his symphonic output, it also occupies a unique position in Czech music and conveys a very special message of national character for Czech society. Its six parts, of which "Vltava" (The Moldau) is the best known, all have geographical or historical references to special places or stories of the Czech Republic. The performance of the entire cycle is always an unusual event in the Czech Republic and many of these performances are connected with important historical events. For example, since the first year of the Prague Spring Festival in 1946, "My Country" has been an integral part of the opening concert, traditionally on 12 May, the anniversary of Smetana's death. In 2021, Collegium 1704, an orchestra from the field of historical performance practice, was invited, which once again gave the festival a special touch. The live recording of the two concerts of 12 and 13 May 2021 at Prague Spring can now be heard on this recording.

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Recorded live at Municipal House, Prague (Czech Republic), 12 & 13 May 2021.