The founder of the Czech classics

The jubilee exhibition "The Founder of the Czech Classics", dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Czech composer, pianist, conductor, teacher, musical and public figure Bedrzych Smetana (1824 – 1884), takes place from February 20 to April 23 in the musical and audiovisual documents reading room (room 305).

Bedrzyikh Smetana is one of the greatest musicians who stood at the origins of the Czech school of composition. His music is characterized by a vivid national identity and is deeply connected with folk art. He was the first composer to use Czech folk themes and motifs, rhythms and intonations of folk songs and dances in his compositions. B. Smetana's legacy includes almost all musical genres: opera, symphonic poem, chamber instrumental and piano music, vocal and choral works. The pinnacle of his compositional legacy were opera and program-symphonic compositions.

In addition to composing music, Bedrzykh Smetana performed as a pianist and conductor, headed the music section of the "Craftsman's Conversation", worked with the "Verb Prague" choir, was one of the founders of the Philharmonic Society, wrote music criticism articles, taught at the music school he opened. The stormy and multifaceted creative and social activities of B. Smetana contributed to the flourishing of the national culture of the Czech Republic, and his compositions are among the recognized masterpieces of world musical art.

The exhibition presents musical editions of the composer's works: operas "The Sold Bride", "Brandenburgers in the Czech Republic", "Kiss", a cycle of symphonic poems "My Homeland", a symphonic poem "Richard III", a cantata for mixed choir and orchestra "Czech Song", collections of piano, choral and vocal compositions.

The audio documents presented in the exhibition provide an opportunity to listen to Quartet No. 2 for two violins, viola and cello, the opera "The Sold Bride", two duets for violin and piano "Native Land", the piano cycle "Czech Dances", etc.

The exhibition is complemented by books and articles from periodicals about the composer's life and work.

The opening hours of the exhibition corresponds to the library’s opening hours
Admission is by the library ticket or ticket of the library's social and cultural center.

Phone for inquiries: (+37517) 293 27 52.

The material was provided by the Service Department of Specialized Funds.