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Vítězslav Novák

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greek
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« on: May 17, 2022, 06:46:54 am »

Vítězslav Novák was born at Kamenice nad Lipou in 1870.

Here is his symphonic poem De Profundis, for large orchestra and organ, opus 67, which appeared in 1941.

Remarkable in its muscular counterpoint, it is one of the most potent artistic responses to political events to come from the region.

It comes in three sections:

I. Largo lugubre - Appassionato doloroso - Tempo del principio
II. Meno (largo), molto tranquillo
III. Grandioso

The B.B.C. Philharmonic Orchestra was directed by Libor Pešek.



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Vandermolen
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« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2022, 09:01:12 am »

It is a profoundly moving work, bravely composed during the Nazi occupation. The South Bohemian Suite is another such work with a defiant political sub-text. I don't agree with the widely held belief that all Novak's greatest works were composed early in his musical career. My favourites come from towards the end of his life. Although not a tone poem we badly need a new recording of his masterpiece 'The Storm' (which is an earlier work).
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« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2022, 01:46:39 pm »

It is a profoundly moving work, bravely composed during the Nazi occupation. The South Bohemian Suite is another such work with a defiant political sub-text. I don't agree with the widely held belief that all Novak's greatest works were composed early in his musical career. My favourites come from towards the end of his life. Although not a tone poem we badly need a new recording of his masterpiece 'The Storm' (which is an earlier work).

Novak is not a composer that I know at all (my knowledge of Czech music is pretty much limited to Smetana, Dvorak, Fibich and Martinu). Where should I begin, and is there at least a decent recording of The Storm?

 :)
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"A piece is worth your attention, and is itself for you praiseworthy, if it makes you feel you have not wasted your time over it." (Sydney Grew, 1922)
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« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2022, 05:06:33 pm »

It is a profoundly moving work, bravely composed during the Nazi occupation. The South Bohemian Suite is another such work with a defiant political sub-text. I don't agree with the widely held belief that all Novak's greatest works were composed early in his musical career. My favourites come from towards the end of his life. Although not a tone poem we badly need a new recording of his masterpiece 'The Storm' (which is an earlier work).

Novak is not a composer that I know at all (my knowledge of Czech music is pretty much limited to Smetana, Dvorak, Fibich and Martinu). Where should I begin, and is there at least a decent recording of The Storm?

 :)
Only two recordings of The Storm AFAIK - both on Supraphon. You could start with the engaging and moving South Bohemian Suite, or the better known Slovak Suite or the gloomy war-time tone poem De Profundis (which has a powerfully redemptive ending). I also like the tone poem 'In The Tatras' and there is some fine chamber music including a piano quintet.
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« Reply #4 on: July 03, 2022, 05:21:34 pm »

It is a profoundly moving work, bravely composed during the Nazi occupation. The South Bohemian Suite is another such work with a defiant political sub-text. I don't agree with the widely held belief that all Novak's greatest works were composed early in his musical career. My favourites come from towards the end of his life. Although not a tone poem we badly need a new recording of his masterpiece 'The Storm' (which is an earlier work).

Novak is not a composer that I know at all (my knowledge of Czech music is pretty much limited to Smetana, Dvorak, Fibich and Martinu). Where should I begin, and is there at least a decent recording of The Storm?

 :)
Only two recordings of The Storm AFAIK - both on Supraphon. You could start with the engaging and moving South Bohemian Suite, or the better known Slovak Suite or the gloomy war-time tone poem De Profundis (which has a powerfully redemptive ending). I also like the tone poem 'In The Tatras' and there is some fine chamber music including a piano quintet.

Great, thanks very much!

 :)
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"A piece is worth your attention, and is itself for you praiseworthy, if it makes you feel you have not wasted your time over it." (Sydney Grew, 1922)
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« Reply #5 on: July 04, 2022, 09:12:21 am »

It is a profoundly moving work, bravely composed during the Nazi occupation. The South Bohemian Suite is another such work with a defiant political sub-text. I don't agree with the widely held belief that all Novak's greatest works were composed early in his musical career. My favourites come from towards the end of his life. Although not a tone poem we badly need a new recording of his masterpiece 'The Storm' (which is an earlier work).

Novak is not a composer that I know at all (my knowledge of Czech music is pretty much limited to Smetana, Dvorak, Fibich and Martinu). Where should I begin, and is there at least a decent recording of The Storm?

 :)
Only two recordings of The Storm AFAIK - both on Supraphon. You could start with the engaging and moving South Bohemian Suite, or the better known Slovak Suite or the gloomy war-time tone poem De Profundis (which has a powerfully redemptive ending). I also like the tone poem 'In The Tatras' and there is some fine chamber music including a piano quintet.

Great, thanks very much!

 :)
My pleasure  :)
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« Reply #6 on: July 04, 2022, 04:22:03 pm »

I would also recommend the Slovakian Suite Op 32. The modal soundworld has some links with British music  of its time. It is very fresh and original and quite touching.
I consider the 2nd String Quartet a great work. An endless stream of passionate melody tinged with deep melancholy.
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« Reply #7 on: July 04, 2022, 05:53:48 pm »

I would also recommend the Slovakian Suite Op 32. The modal soundworld has some links with British music  of its time. It is very fresh and original and quite touching.
I consider the 2nd String Quartet a great work. An endless stream of passionate melody tinged with deep melancholy.
I agree - those are both fine works.
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