Liszt was Smetana's long-time mentor; he had accepted a dedication of the latter's Opus 1: Six Characteristic Pieces for Piano in 1848, and had encouraged the younger composer's career since then.
Liszt var længe Smetanas mentor, og han havde accepteret en dedikation af Smetanas opus 1: Seks karakteristiske stykker for klaver fra 1848 og fremmet den yngre komponists karriere derefter.