Music of Nationalism (01:54)

FREE PREVIEW

Nationalism soon led to a recognition of the classical value of folksong, and an attempt to express in music the language, landscape, and musical traditions of the composer’s own country.

Czechoslovakia: Bedrich Smetana (05:41)

Bedrich Smetana was Czechoslovakia's first major nationalist composer. In 1848, revolution came to Prague. Excerpts from "Ma Vlast" It is a collections of collection of symphonic poems. Each poem celebrates a different part of the Czech landscape.

Czechoslovakia: Antonin Dvorák (03:31)

Dvorák turned folk material into the language of 19th-century, Romantic music. An excerpt from Dvorák’s String Quartet in E-Flat is included.

Dvorák: Symphony No. 9 (08:38)

Dvorák's Symphony No. 9 ("The New World") was inspired by America, but there are traces of the traditional sounds and rhythms of his homeland. Excerpts from his New World Symphony are included.

Charles Ives (02:44)

Charles Ives was America's first outstanding composer. Excerpts from "Three Places in New England" are included.

Leos Janacek (04:50)

Janacek straddled the turn of the century. His music is strange, dynamic, and stimulating to listeners. He spent many years cultivating Moravian folk culture. Excerpts from Janacek’s "Katya Kabanova" are included.

Edvard Grieg (04:18)

Music might be national, but it still speaks the language of all nations. Edvard Grieg's music celebrates Norway. Excerpts from "Peer Gynt" suite are included.

Manuel de Falla (04:42)

Excerpts from de Falla’s "Homage at the Tomb of Debussy."

Vaughan Williams (04:27)

Vaughan Williams was inspired by the sights and sounds of London. Williams' music follows an Impressionistic style. Excerpts from Williams' "London Symphony" are included.

Zoltan Kodaly (05:59)

The movement for national identity reached its climax at the end of WWI. From Hungary came Zoltan Kodaly. Excerpts from Kodaly’s "Hary János" suite are included.

Jan Sibelius (09:36)

Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 ("Finlandia") celebrates the composer's deep connected to Finland. Viewers are treated to an excerpt from this musical work.

Credits: Land of Our Fathers (01:17)

Credits: Land of Our Fathers