Smetana Ma vlast
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Smetana
Ma vlast (My Fatherland)

Smetana completed Ma vlast (or 'My Fatherland') as a celebration of Czech culture and nationhood as it emerged from the grasp of the Austrian Empire at the end of the nineteenth century.

Musica recommended recording
Conductor: Roger Norrington EMI's Norrington webpage
Orchestra: London Classical Players
Label: Virgin Classics Label website
Catalogue Ref: VC5453012
Barcode:
Release Date: November 1997

More information about this recording
Label (Virgin Classics) Virgin disc information

Norrington's interpretation of Ma vlast is taken on period instruments, as was the habit of the now sadly-defunct London Classical Players.  This surprisingly authenticist rendition produces a sense of lightness that Smetana may have recognised and allows us to follow the detailed instrumentation which is too frequently submerged in modern overly-Romantic performances.