Composer

:

Bedrich Smetana

Genre

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Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

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1877 - 1879

Publication Date

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1879 - 1881

Average_duration

:

55:50

Bedrich Smetana's 'Czech Dances' is a collection of 14 dances that are divided into two books. The first book, JB 1:107, was composed in 1879, while the second book, JB 1:114, was composed in 1881. The collection was premiered in Prague in 1881. The first book consists of eight dances, while the second book has six dances. The dances are inspired by traditional Czech folk music and dance forms, such as the polka, furiant, and sousedská. Smetana's use of these folk elements gives the music a distinctly Czech flavor. The first book opens with a lively polka, followed by a slower sousedská. The third dance is a furiant, which is a fast and energetic dance in triple meter. The fourth dance is a polka mazurka, which combines elements of the polka and the mazurka. The fifth dance is a sousedská, which is a slower dance in duple meter. The sixth dance is a polka, followed by a furiant in the seventh position. The final dance of the first book is a sousedská. The second book opens with a polka, followed by a sousedská. The third dance is a furiant, which is followed by a polka mazurka. The fifth dance is a sousedská, and the final dance of the collection is a lively polka. The 'Czech Dances' are characterized by their lively rhythms, catchy melodies, and use of traditional Czech dance forms. Smetana's use of folk elements in his music was part of a larger movement in Czech music during the late 19th century, which sought to create a distinct national style. The 'Czech Dances' remain popular today and are frequently performed in concert halls and at folk festivals throughout the Czech Republic.

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