If there is such a thing as a national treasure of Czech music, it is Bedřich Smetana's orchestral cycle Má Vlast. No other work has captured Bohemian history and landscape in such colourful tones. »The Moldau«, part of a series of six symphonic poems, is one of the most popular works in music history. Christoph Vratz presents Smetana's entire orchestral cycle and provides background information on its creation.
At his concert with the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra on 1 August, Daniel Barenboim will conduct »The Moldau« at the Kölner Philharmonie.