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Bedřich Smetana was born on March 2, 1824 in Litomyšl, Pardubice Region, Czech Republic and was credited as a composer, conductor and teacher. Death is recorded on May 12, 1884, at the age of 60. Bedřich Smetana was associated with The Bartered Bride, Má vlast and String Quartet No. 1.
My Take
Smetana is, to my mind, the rare composer whose music is inseparable from a people's sense of self. Calling him the father of Czech music almost undersells it. Ma vlast does not just depict a landscape, it argues for a nation's right to exist on its own cultural terms. What moves me most is that he kept composing after losing his hearing, pouring identity into sound he could no longer experience. That is conviction, not vanity. I find his fusion of folk spirit and serious craft endlessly compelling, and his legacy feels earned in a way pure talent rarely is.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Bedřich Smetana
- Name (Japanese)
- ベドルジハ・スメタナ
- Reading
- べどるじは・すめたな
- Born
- March 2, 1824 – May 12, 1884
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Pisces / Monkey
- Origin
- Litomyšl, Pardubice Region, Czech Republic
- Occupation
- composer / conductor / teacher / pedagogue / pianist
2. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | The Bartered Bride | — | |
| Notable work | Má vlast | — | |
| Notable work | String Quartet No. 1 | — |
3. Links
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Bedřich Smetana born?
Born March 2, 1824.
When did Bedřich Smetana die?
Died May 12, 1884, aged 60.
Where was Bedřich Smetana from?
Bedřich Smetana was from Litomyšl, Pardubice Region, Czech Republic.
What did Bedřich Smetana do?
Bedřich Smetana worked as composer, conductor, teacher, pedagogue, pianist.
What was Bedřich Smetana known for?
Notable works include The Bartered Bride, Má vlast, String Quartet No. 1.
Composer — see all → · Conductor — see all → · More people from the Czech Republic →