To those who don’t know I’m a huge classical music fan. I don’t usually pay attention to titles although I have few favorites. Why classical music? Besides the fact it is timeless I find it better for thinking as there are n lyrics imposed in the music.
Two years ago I was driving around town listening to the classical music channel on XM when I first heard Smetana’s “the Moldau”. During the time I was listening i called home and put the phone near the speakers so my mom and sister can listen as well. It was obvious to me this is related to the Israeli National Anthem.
My mom and sister are traveling in Asia these days (part pleasure, part business) so I get to have more cars around the house. My sister’s Hummer is parked outside and although these days I don’t use it, two days ago I decided to take it for a ride. To me, in one word, that moment was “Destiny”. Why? Because I forgot the name of the composer above, Smetana, and I really was interested in finding that work for last couple of years again.
So now that I found it again I went online, did some searches. ASSISTA Smetana and you get a good source about who Smetana was (under the question ” WHO WAS BEDRICH SMETANA?”. Google Smetana and you get many great resources as well, including one for the longer query “Smetana Hatikva” which reveals the connection between the two.
Why am I writing this here? 1. To share a great work with you and 2. I guess just to close a circle, a quest I was after for a couple of years. And in case I forget again, now I have a reference on the blog to remind me 
Sahar
Shalom Sahar,
Very interesting and also a very beautiful piece. Of course I am partial.
Looking forward to playing it on Israel’s 60th.
Kol Tuv
Gil
Just in case you wonder - the concert Sahar links to took place in the spring following the Velvet revolution (1989) and yes - the conductor and all members of the orchestra are wearing small badges of the anti-communist movement Obcanske Forum - Civic Forum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velvet_Revolution
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civic_Forum
Cheers from .cz
Sahar -
Interesting story. I too am opartial to classical music, especially when doing some tedious computer type tasks.
I’m not much on various composers or titles - just sounds. I recently picked up Vivaldi: Concert for the Prince of Poland performed by the Academy of Ancient Music.
It is wonderful!
Thanks for your blog - it inspires a lot of people to work harder, work smarter, ask different questions, and push forward!
—-answer—-
Thanks Steve for the kind words. Hearing that makes all the hard work worthwhile.
Cheers
Sahar
Please refer to “die Moldau” as “Vltava” from now on. Smetana is the most famous Czech composer (although Dvorak is much more renown to the US audience). And cheers from .cz as well :).