English Translation

14a 2 In his first symphonic poem, at the end of the sixties "Richard 3." Smetana (l824-l888) is still dependent on the founder of this new form, Franz Liszt. In the following works "Wallensteinlager" and "Hakon Jarl" he works up to his individual style. He then reaches the climax in the cycle "My Fatherland", in which he solemnly sings his homeland, whose beauty and fame he saw in the Czech legends (Vishhrad, Scharka) or in the high Czech lights (Tabor) and in the beauties of the Bohemian country or the Czech people's life (Moldova, From Bohemia's corridors and groves). Smetana composed "Mein Vaterland" in the years 1874-l879, when he was already completely deaf. He entrusted the first performance of "Wishhrad" to the Kapellmeister of the German Thea ter Ludwig Slansky in the concert of the "Prager Philharmonie", where both theatre orchestras were united (l875). He trusted the Kapellmeister Adolf Cech (J.1875,l877,1879, 1880). Description (After Zelený). Wizhrad. (Oldest Prague Castle)Fluchtburganlage) on the right bank of the Vltava.Wishhrad it literally the above situated castle. At the sight of the venerable Vishhrad Rock, the memory places the poet in the long-standing past and the sounds of the harp of the Lumir. In front of his eyes, Vishharad emerges in former splendour, crowned by gold-raying walls, a proud seat of the Primitive Princes full of martial glory. Here at the castle the brave knights arrive to celebrate with the glad sound of the trumpets and timpani, here loud fighters in shiny and sun-rayed armors come to victorious battles. Wishehrad trembles, under the sounds of solemn hymns and victorious cheers. In the longing, the glory of Vishhrad's past, desvpteater, is also his downfall. 11368 -3-