Smetana: Hulán

Czech Dances, Book 2, No. 7
"Hulán" / The Lancer
by Bedřich Smetana
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What does the word "lancer" bring to mind? Poachers? Endangered species?
To my relief, the story of this beautiful, beseeching melody is much more endearing. Like several of Smetana's Czech Dances from Book 2, this No. 7 is based on a Czech song from Prostonárodní české písně a říkadla s přílohou nápěvů, a compilation by folklorist and poet Karel Jaromír Erben. The original song text, amorous and sorrowful, is that of a woman yearning for her lover, a soldier (the lancer). Smetana takes her tune through a perfect arc with three variations and a sparkling coda. I offer it with láska.