Bedřich Smetana – Má vlast – a cycle of symphonic poems. “Swedish” symphonic poems (Richard III, Op. 11; Wallenstein’s Camp, Op. 14; Hakon Jarl, Op. 16). Triumphal Symphony in E major, Op. 6. String Quartet No. 1 in E minor, “From My Life” (arr. for orchestra by George Szell)Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, conductor: Petr PopelkaWithin a mere few years, Petr Popelka has established himself as one of the world’s most exciting young conductors. Serving as principal conductor of the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Wiener Symphoniker, he has also appeared as a guest with prominent European and American orchestras, as well as at opera houses worldwide. Popelka does not view Bedřich Smetana’s legacy as an obligatory Czech national classic, but rather as an object of love and vital artistic quest. “His ultimate masterpiece, Má vlast, should be approached a bit like an opera, as a great story …. As a cycle of tone poems based on the theme of the homeland, it is absolutely unique in the history of music. Most significantly, there is not a work written with greater love.” Popelka’s recording is not just yet another addition to the immense number of recordings of Má vlast. Bringing to bear his great musicality and acute sense of detail, the conductor and the orchestra have modelled a truly exceptional form. Popelka’s album features other gems too. String Quartet No. 1 in E minor, “From My Life”, hailing from Smetana’s mature period, when the composer was completely deaf, in George Szell’s brilliant orchestration. In contrast, Smetana’s early music is represented by the Triumphal Symphony, dedicated to the wedding of the 24-year-old Emperor Franz Joseph I to Princess Elisabeth of Bavaria, and three “Swedish” Liszt-inspired symphonic poems, based on dramas as immense as Shakespeare’s Richard III and Schiller’s Wallenstein. The extraordinary album marks the 200th anniversary of Smetana’s birth. Lovers of spatial sound will certainly relish streaming Má vlast in the Dolby Atmos format.Petr Popelka conducts Smetana – with love, deep feeling and sense for detail01. Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra – Richard III., Op. 11, JB 17002. Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra – Wallenstein′s Camp, Op. 14, JB 17203. Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra – Hakon Jarl, Op. 16, JB 17904. Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra – String Quartet No. 1 in E Minor, JB 1105 I. Allegro vivo ap05. Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra – String Quartet No. 1 in E Minor, JB 1105 II. Allegro modera06. Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra – String Quartet No. 1 in E Minor, JB 1105 III. Largo sostenu07. Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra – String Quartet No. 1 in E Minor, JB 1105 IV. Vivace08. Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra – Festive Symphony in E Major, Op. 6, JB 159 I. Allegro vivac09. Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra – Festive Symphony in E Major, Op. 6, JB 159 II. Largo maesto10. Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra – Festive Symphony in E Major, Op. 6, JB 159 III. Scherzo. Al11. Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra – Festive Symphony in E Major, Op. 6 IV. Finale. Allegro non12. Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra – Má vlast, JB 1112 I. Vy?ehrad13. Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra – Má vlast, JB 1112 II. Vltava14. Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra – Má vlast, JB 1112 III. ?árka15. Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra – Má vlast, JB 1112 IV. From Bohemian′s Woods and Fields16. Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra – Má vlast, JB 1112 V. Tábor17. Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra – Má vlast, JB 1112 VI. Blaník13222990066/49.72.150.151