Composer: Bedrich Smetana Work Title: The Moldau Date: 1874-1879 Genre: Symphonic Poem For my first selection of music for this final project I chose “The Moldau” by Bedrich Smetana. The reason I chose this piece was first, it is a symphonic poem and second, because it perfectly exemplified the use of nationalist style and word painting. The Moldau is a symphonic poem representing Nationalist pride for Smetana’s country. It is the second of six …showed first 75 words of 240 total…

…showed last 75 words of 240 total…be seen. It begins as a few streams in the forest flowing into the mighty river, painted with a flute and some clarinets and leading to violins. The journey takes us through a day in the forest where we see hunting, peasants dancing at a wedding, nymphs in the moonlight, the St. John’s Rapids, the Ancient Castle and back to the River theme as the river dies away. It is truly an enchanting piece.