The Moldau (Vltava)

If you're not too partial to classical music, you many not have heard of this composition. However; if you're somewhat of a worldly individual who has travel somewhat, you many have heard of Israel's national anthem: "Hatikvah." "Hatikvah" was derived from Smetana's "The Moldau" ("Vltava" as it's known in the Czech).

Smetana like many much greater composers after him was a disciple of Liszt; Liszt developed the "symphonic poem," and Smetana like many others tried to emulate it. The result to all this was "Ma Vlast." These are six orchestral episodes depicting part of Bohemia, as well as stories related to its past history.

The Moldau is the second episode from "Ma Vlast," and it depicts the river as it flows through woods and meadows; a wedding celebration is also depicted, as well as St John's rapids. The river finally ends at the Labe (Elbe in German) after it passes "Vysehrad."

This is Smetana's most famous composition.