Mein Vaterland
Smetana finished the first sketch of "Hakon Jarl" on 6 January 1860 and completed the work on 24 March 1861. Shortly thereafter he returned permanently to Prague where it was performed for the first time on 24 February 1864. Although not as well known as Smetana's later symphonic poem cycle, "Má vlast", the three "Swedish" symphonic poems are still regularly performed in concert halls.