Instrumentation: piccolo flute, flutes (2), oboes (2), clarinets (2), bassoons (2), horns (4), trumpets (2), trombones (3), tuba, timpani, triangle, cymbals, harps (2), violins (2), viola, cellos (2), double bass

In late September 1874, shortly after losing his hearing, Smetana started work on “Vyšehrad”, the first symphonic poem in what would become a six-part cycle with the title “Má vlast” (My Country). It tells the eventful history of this fort in Prague.

“Vyšehrad” was published by Ur...