Bedřich Smetana’s “The Moldau” (Vltava) is one of the best-known works of classical music. The piece was composed in 1874 and is part of the symphonic cycle “My Homeland” (Má vlast).

In this piece, Smetana musically traces the course of the Vltava: from its two small sources, through forests and landscapes, past a peasant wedding, and through mysterious nocturnal scenes. The river grows ever more powerful, navigates the rapids, and finally flows majestically past Prague.

The grand, flowing main theme is particularly famous. It beautifully conveys the feeling of a river flowing calmly along and immediately sticks in your mind. That is precisely why “The Moldau” is ideally suited for a piano arrangement: even without the full orchestra, the character of the water can be beautifully captured through flowing accompaniment figures and the lovely melody.

A wonderful piece that allows you to do more than just play the right notes on the piano—it lets you bring an entire landscape and story to life.

Here is my new Easy Piano version with updated notation