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Frederic Smetana 1824–1884

The death has recently been announced of this distinguished Bohemian composer, the precursor and teacher of Anton Dvorák. He was born, March 2, 1824, at Leitomèschel, a place between Olmütz and Prague, and, according to some authorities, early showed a talent for music. His father objected to the art as a profession for the lad, but ultimately gave way, and Smetana, in 1843, was placed under Proksch, then the leading teacher at Prague. He is also said to have studied under Liszt, and it is certain that he became a very able pianist. In 1848, Smetana married the pianist, Katherina Kolàr, and jointly with her established a pianoforte school in the Bohemian capital. Thus he remained till 1856, having also instituted (1850) an annual series of Quartet Concerts. The year 1856 brought with it a great change. On the representation of Dreyschock, Smetana accepted the post of Conductor of the Philharmonic Society at Gothenburg, in Sweden. There he remained till 1860, when he left on account of his wife, whose health could not endure the rigour of northern winter. As it was he stayed too long, Madame Smetana dying at Dresden on her way back to Prague. Under these circumstances Smetana returned to the old university town and resumed his labours there, finally quitting Sweden in 1866 to act as Conductor at the Bohemian Opera House in Prague. In 1874, increasing deafness compelled him to resign the bâton. For some time before his death he suffered from a mental malady. Smetana wrote many Bohemian operas and several important orchestral pieces, of which two, ‘Mein Vaterland,’ a symphonic poem, and ‘Vyschrad,’ have been performed at the Crystal Palace, where they met with little favour. Otherwise, Smetana was not known in this country. It may be interesting to add that a Solemn March from his pen was performed in Prague at the Shakespeare tercentenary.

Musical Times, June 1884