It is rather odd that although we have a reasonably substantial Czech Music folder we are not well off in a number of the more 'conservative' Czech symphonists born after 1900 singled out for detailed discussion by Mark Morris in his superb 'Dictionary of Twentieth Century Composers'.
The first names that Morris selected were the reasonably well-known Miloslav Kabelac(1908-79) and Viktor Kalabis(1923-2006). Kabelac is the composer of one of my all-time favourite pieces of 20th century music, the absolutely marvellous Passacaglia for large orchestra "Mystery of Time"(available on cd and a work of quite stunning power and grandeur :))) Kalabis's orchestral works have fared very well on cd.
Morris though went on to discuss Isa Krejci(1904-68): 4 symphonies(No.2 on cd and also available here); Jan Karpr(1914-88): 10 symphonies; Jan Hanus(1915-2004): 7 symphonies(No. 2 on cd, No.3 available here); Ivo Jirasek(1920-2004): 1 symphony; Jiri Valek(1923-2005): 16 symphonies(No.14 available here); Jindrich Feld(1925-2007): 3 symphonies; and Jaromir Podesva(1927-2000): 10 symphonies.
It is so sad that, including Kalabis, six of these Czech symphonists died within seven years of each other between 2000 and 2007.
Between them the group I have highlighted from Krejci to Podesva composed a grand total of 51 symphonies but only three of these are available on this site and-as far as I know-only two are on cd: a quite amazing and shocking statistic :o What are Supraphon thinking of these days >:(
I know that I should put this request in the Download Requests section but if anyone out there has recordings of these composers then....please ??? :))
Have been curious about Feld and worked on the article about him on Wikipedia for awhile (until around the time he died, actually.)
If you don't know the Kabelac 'Mystery of Time' I raved about in my previous post can I suggest you try listening to it-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kxcD0mU9jo&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kxcD0mU9jo&feature=related)
I do find it a work of tremendous power, starting so quietly and growing in intensity to grand brass-filled climaxes ;D
I agree with you Mr. Dundonnell about the usefulness of Mark Morris's book. I keep it next to Mr. Lebrecht's indispensable Complete Companion to Twentieth-Century Music. Unfortunately they are both now showing their age, and there is need for a replacement to cover in a similar way the most recent works and developments.
In regard to the Czech symphonists, the Kabelac and Hanus examples I posted come from a group of recordings of broadcasts I made about four years ago. After a while, though, I gave it up, mainly because at that time there were many drop-outs (in about half of my attempts). Recently, after discovering this forum, I have revamped the capture programme, such that there is now on average a drop-out only about once in every ten attempts. That fact, together with the improved data rate (224 kilobits per second as compared to 128 formerly), has encouraged me to start recording again - although it does still happen that a drop-out (specifically "recv reports connection closed by server") can frustratingly come in the middle of a much-anticipated work.
As well as the Mystery of Time, for which I share your admiration, Kabelac later wrote The Mystery of Silence, opus 50, which I have not heard.
Let us then hope that the Czech radio broadcast more of those fascinating symphonies! They do put out a number of songs and chamber works, both by the composers you mention and by many more composers whose names are new to me.
Following on from my earlier post about the absence of symphonies by Feld, Hanus, Kapr, Krejci, Jirasek, Podesva and Valek from cd it would be worth pointing out that the following symphonies by these composers were issued on LP and would be candidates for upload if anyone has the original LPs:
Jindrich Feld: Symphony No.1(1967): Supraphon
Symphony No.2(1983): Panton
Jan Hanus: Symphony No.5(1964-65): Panton
Symphony No.6(1978): Panton
Ivo Jirasek: Symphony "Mother Hope"(1973-74): Supraphon
Jan Kapr: Symphony No.7 "The Land of Childhood"(1968): Supraphon
Isa Krejci: Symphony No.1(1954-55): Panton
Symphony No.3(1961-63): Panton
Symphony No.4(1961-63): Panton
Jaromir Podesva: Symphony No.3 "Culmination-The Pearl at the Bottom"(1966): Panton
Symphony No.4 "Sinfonia da Camera"(1967): Supraphon
Symphony No.6(1970): Panton
Symphony No.7 "In Memoriam J.P.jun"(1982-83): Supraphon
Symphony No.8 "Ostrava"(1987): Panton
Jiri Valek: Symphony No.5 "Guernica"(1968): Supraphon
Symphony No.6 "Ekpynosis"(1969): Panton
Symphony No.7 "Pompeian Frescoes"(1970): Panton
Symphony No.8 "Hic Sunt Homines"(1971): Supraphon
Symphony No.9 "Renaissance"(1971): Supraphon
Symphony No.11 "Revolutionary"(1974): Panton
Symphony No.12 "Shakespearean"(1975): Panton
Symphony No.13 "Gothic"(1978): Supraphon
To think that all these symphonies are sitting around untransferred to cd is quite unbelieveable ::) I cannot understand why this is still the case.
Surely...someone..... ???
Hrm. I'd recommend using the Archive service to see what they do have (some of it recorded recently) (at APF (http://www2.rozhlas.cz/archivy/)) but it seems to be down right now. Maybe when it's back up...
As to Feld Symphony 1, it seems a 1970 Heinz Wallberg/Bamberg Symphony recording of that was released on Praga PR 255 001 CD in the 1990s. Is that the one that was on LP?
Quote from: eschiss1 on Saturday 11 February 2012, 16:23
As to Feld Symphony 1, it seems a 1970 Heinz Wallberg/Bamberg Symphony recording of that was released on Praga PR 255 001 CD in the 1990s. Is that the one that was on LP?
No..different performance.
A broadcast of the Fifth Symphony, opus 43, of Viktor Kalabis has come my way - at least that is how it is described in the published schedule. However the announcer says something about "fragment", and the piece lasts just fifteen minutes.
So I am wondering whether this is only one section of the work. Does any one know the timing of this symphony?
The Kalabis Symphony No.5(1976) is subtitled "Fragment" to underline "its unitary and sculptural charcter"(according to the Praga cd booklet notes).
It is 15 minutes in duration.
Ah . . . that explains it! Many thanks for that.
QuoteFollowing on from my earlier post about the absence of symphonies by Feld, Hanus, Kapr, Krejci, Jirasek, Podesva and Valek from cd it would be worth pointing out that the following symphonies by these composers were issued on LP and would be candidates for upload if anyone has the original LPs:
I have most of these, and some others by these composers (and other composers of a similar ilk) not on your list. However, in light of my other commitments, I can't promise to systematically upload them anytime soon. I will happily do one or two as time permits, particularly in response to specific requests from forum members such as yourself, Colin! I agree that there are many, many fine 20th Century Czech composers who deserve representation here. I also share your disappointment with Supraphon's lack of commitment to these composers and their colleagues!
I'm sure other forum members have some of these works as well, so that I don't have to shoulder the entire burden! ;)
Quote from: Latvian on Thursday 05 April 2012, 17:48
QuoteFollowing on from my earlier post about the absence of symphonies by Feld, Hanus, Kapr, Krejci, Jirasek, Podesva and Valek from cd it would be worth pointing out that the following symphonies by these composers were issued on LP and would be candidates for upload if anyone has the original LPs:
I have most of these, and some others by these composers (and other composers of a similar ilk) not on your list. However, in light of my other commitments, I can't promise to systematically upload them anytime soon. I will happily do one or two as time permits, particularly in response to specific requests from forum members such as yourself, Colin! I agree that there are many, many fine 20th Century Czech composers who deserve representation here. I also share your disappointment with Supraphon's lack of commitment to these composers and their colleagues!
I'm sure other forum members have some of these works as well, so that I don't have to shoulder the entire burden! ;)
I fear that your optimism may be misplaced, Maris :( I do know that a couple of members have, between them, the Feld 2nd, Hanus 6th, the Jirasek and the Krejci 2nd but that might be all :(
If I had to begin somewhere ;D - I might suggest the Hanus 5th and, perhaps, a Valek symphony ??? The others will just have to wait their turn :)
Fairly well-known by now are Kabelac's 3rd and 4th symphonies, but I hope I may recommend them for such as haven't heard them. They're not as often mentioned as his more expressionistic 5th and 8th symphonies- the 4th is a little bit ... neoclassical, sort of (the finale reminds me maybe of an orchestral version- in parts- of the finale of Walton's 2nd string quartet)- his 3rd string quartet for brass, percussion and organ is often dour (but sometimes one's in just the mood to hear such things, and it's done very well, I believe.)
Anyway :)
Quote from: eschiss1 on Friday 06 April 2012, 04:06...his 3rd string quartet for brass, percussion and organ is often dour...
Is it anything like his piano sonata for three harps and violin? ;D ::)
I meant 3rd symphony for brass, percussion and organ. Zzzz... thanks there.
Since there has been discussion of Downloads elsewhere......why don't Supraphon make available their back catalogue of LPs of the music of the Czech composers we have beeen talking about as downloads ??? That would-presumably-be cheaper than reissuing them as cds and would surely recoup the cost and make the company at least some profit.
Quote from: Dundonnell on Thursday 05 April 2012, 21:59
Quote from: Latvian on Thursday 05 April 2012, 17:48
QuoteFollowing on from my earlier post about the absence of symphonies by Feld, Hanus, Kapr, Krejci, Jirasek, Podesva and Valek from cd it would be worth pointing out that the following symphonies by these composers were issued on LP and would be candidates for upload if anyone has the original LPs:
I have most of these, and some others by these composers (and other composers of a similar ilk) not on your list. However, in light of my other commitments, I can't promise to systematically upload them anytime soon. I will happily do one or two as time permits, particularly in response to specific requests from forum members such as yourself, Colin! I agree that there are many, many fine 20th Century Czech composers who deserve representation here. I also share your disappointment with Supraphon's lack of commitment to these composers and their colleagues!
I'm sure other forum members have some of these works as well, so that I don't have to shoulder the entire burden! ;)
I fear that your optimism may be misplaced, Maris :( I do know that a couple of members have, between them, the Feld 2nd, Hanus 6th, the Jirasek and the Krejci 2nd but that might be all :(
If I had to begin somewhere ;D - I might suggest the Hanus 5th and, perhaps, a Valek symphony ??? The others will just have to wait their turn :)
For my part, the Hanus 5th & 6th would be especially desirable (and appreciated).
Hopefully I may supply some works by Jan Hanus for Greg and others interested. The performers if announced are in Czech which I can only slightly understand, and spellings may be wrongful transliterations. The details I have provided are in the names of each track.
Some info on Hanus and some of his works:[url][http://web.archive.org/web/20071029162654/http://www.musica.cz/comp/hanus.htm/url]
The recordings I can see that are available commercially are of Sym no. 2, Salt is Better than Gold, and Symphony Concertante on Supraphon.
The following are concert broadcasts, based on applause at the end :):
Aristophanic Variations for orchestra and piano concertante, Op. 110a
Symphony No. 3 in D minor (The World's Truth), op. 38 1946-57
Three fragments of the Apocalypse, Piano Concerto, Op. 125
I can not find evidence of purchaseable CDs of the following, which seem to be archival performances presented on Vltava:
Symphony No. 7, for orchestra, mixed choir, soprano and baritone solo on Latin sacred texts, op. 116 1989-90
Peter and Lucie, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 35 based on story of Roland
Symphony No. 1 in E Major for large orchestra and alto solo, on Stabat mater by Jacopon da Todi, op. 12 1942
The Secret Trumpeter, op. 53, based on Whitman
and the last piece of which I can only decipher:
"Symphony for large Orchestra". It is about 31 minutes long, hopefully someone can translate the announcement at the end.
Many thanks to Elroel for uploading the Jiri Valek Symphony No.7 and the Jaromir Podesva Symphony No.6- two more of the Czech symphonies I identified as having been issued on LP in years gone by :)
.....but there is a problem with the second Podesva file :( I have commented in Czech Music Downloads Discussion thread.)
allison- the APF (http://www2.rozhlas.cz/archivy/) database has information on many of the Czech radio (Vltava and otherwise) broadcasts. (It's diacritic-sensitive, so search for Hanuš instead of Hanus, for instance. Apparently 129 recordings related to Hanuš are in the database, some may have him as conductor, etc.) Actually only symphonies 1 and 4 are listed there... hrm. Ah right-
symphony 1 -is- listed - a 2005 radio recording conducted by Marek Valášek. (See this (http://www2.rozhlas.cz/archivy/index.php?HLEDPO=7745383) APF node.)
"Symphony for large orchestra" - perhaps symphony no.4 op.49 if the length is about 31 minutes - as you indeed mention it is... hrm! ... check the movement subdivisions too, which APF provides...? See APF node (http://www2.rozhlas.cz/archivy/index.php?HLEDPO=5411932).
Eric, take a look at the Czech Folder discussion section: we did indeed identify the "Symphony for Large Orchestra" as being his Fourth. :)
Friends,
I have a couple of records I will upload soon. I'm right now processing Valek Sym 12. And I give the record with Valek's 11th a new chance, after a good cleaning session. Hopefully it will go in the right direction now. (Both from Panton)
Do we include Slovak composers as well? In that case I have Andrej Očenáš's impressive symphony 'From the Earth and the People' (if I translate 'O zemi a človeku' properly) to offer. Personally I feel that we should include Slovak composers in this thread, because not so long ago they belonged to the same state, and many a Slovakian composer did live or at least was taught in Prague.
But, than ag
Quote from: Elroel on Wednesday 02 May 2012, 14:32
Friends,
I have a couple of records I will upload soon. I'm right now processing Valek Sym 12. And I give the record with Valek's 11th a new chance, after a good cleaning session. Hopefully it will go in the right direction now. (Both from Panton)
Do we include Slovak composers as well? In that case I have Andrej Očenáš's impressive symphony 'From the Earth and the People' (if I translate 'O zemi a človeku' properly) to offer. Personally I feel that we should include Slovak composers in this thread, because not so long ago they belonged to the same state, and many a Slovakian composer did live or at least was taught in Prague.
But, than ag
gggggggggggggggh...
And he expired. ;)
There is actually a separate thread in the Downloads Section for music from Slovak composers :) I appreciate your point though.
It would certainly be great to get the Valek Symphonies Nos. 11 and 12 :)
Quote from: Elroel on Wednesday 02 May 2012, 14:32
Friends,
I have a couple of records I will upload soon. I'm right now processing Valek Sym 12. And I give the record with Valek's 11th a new chance, after a good cleaning session. Hopefully it will go in the right direction now. (Both from Panton)
Do we include Slovak composers as well? In that case I have Andrej Očenáš's impressive symphony 'From the Earth and the People' (if I translate 'O zemi a človeku' properly) to offer. Personally I feel that we should include Slovak composers in this thread, because not so long ago they belonged to the same state, and many a Slovakian composer did live or at least was taught in Prague.
But, than ag
An upload of Očenáš's Symphony would be much appreciated. I have very little by this composer but he seems to be very interesting. Actually, only a few days ago I browsed eBay to check whether there is any chance to pick up this symphony!
Also, as you recently uploaded Podešva's Sixth I wonder whether you could upload its discmate (which should be Matěj's Third) as well.
It might be worth pointing out that of the 22 Czech symphonies I identified back in February as having been previously issued on LP, nine have now been uploaded through the generosity of others, and particularly, recently, Elroel.
The nine are Jan Hanus Nos. 5 and 6; Ivor Jirasek "Mother Hope", Jaromir Podesva Nos.6 and 8; and Jiri Valek Nos. 7, 11, 12 and 13.
Still outstanding therefore are Jindrich Feld Nos. 1 and 2; Jan Kapr No. 7; Isa Krejci Nos. 1, 3 and 4; Jaromir Podesva Nos. 3, 4 and 7; Jiri Valek Nos. 5, 6, 8 and 9 ....if anybody has any of these :)
Valek 3 and 6 at least were recorded (I don't see archive recordings of the Podesva or some of the others you list as missing) - Valek 3 for soprano and tenor saxophones and orchestra on the works of S.K. Neumann, a 1974 recording by Edward Fischer, Symfonický orchestr hlavního města Prahy FOK, Jiri Starek (sop. saxophone), Jaroslav Hustoles (tenor sax.), 5 movements. 45 minutes. (See APF (http://www2.rozhlas.cz/archivy/index.php?HLEDPO=620072).)
Symphony no.6 "Ekpyrosis" for flute, percussion, piano and strings was also recorded in 1974, also has 5 listed sections and lasts 23 minutes. (composer, flute, Fischer again conducting the Pražští komorní sólisté (Prague Chamber Soloists)). See APF (http://www2.rozhlas.cz/archivy/index.php?HLEDPO=621664) again.)
A recording of Feld's first symphony is listed at APF, actually (1968 recording and a remastering of the same)- Alois Klima conducting the Radio Prague Symphony in one (1968), (Prologo/Scherzo/Passacaglia/Intermezzo/Epilogue, 20 minutes 06".)
Krejčí symphony 1 in D - two recordings at APF : 1980 recording by Josef Hrnčíř conducting Radio Prague Symphony: (Lento - Allegro feroce/Allegro (Scherzo)/Allegretto moderato/Allegro vivo) - 24'54". Kukal's 1997 recording of the same work lasts 25'40".)
Krejčí symphony 3 - also recorded by Kukal, in 1998 - Allegro/Scherzino: Presto Prestissimo / Aria: Allegretto moderato / Molto allegro (16'28" in all).
Symphony 4 - Kukal again, 1999 recording -
Lento (non troppo). Allegro feroce 5:45
Moderato (non troppo lento) 5:22
Allegretto vivace. Minuetto (non troppo lento) 2:39
Andante - Mesto (tema con variazioni). Allegro vivo 4:05
(18'05" in all.)
Hopefully the Kukal series at least will be rebroadcast on D-dur sometime, or something :)
All my information regarding the LP recordings of the symphonies I listed in my earlier post comes from Mike Herman's discography published on Music Web International.
It's nice to be cited once in awhile. It shows my efforts are having some impact
Mike Herman
Zdeněk Lukáš (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zden%C4%9Bk_Luk%C3%A1%C5%A1) (1928-2007), a particular collecting focus of mine, produced seven symphonies between 1960 and 2000, plus a number of symphonic suites, symfoniettas, works for string orchestra, symphonic poems and so on amongst hundreds of other large scale works. Three of the symphonies feature a vocalist or chorus.
I do not know of any recordings of any of the symphonies even in the LP-era. In fact the only orchestral work I know that did get recorded was the 1980 Bagatelles through which I first encountered him. There is a CD Symphonic Works rendered by the Czech Army Central Band, but as you'd guess, this Sinfonia Brevis, Op.265 (1995) is for concert band.
The discography on his official (posthumous) website (http://www.zdenek-lukas.cz/) is far from complete even for recent recordings. Most recent disks focus on his choral, band and chamber output, especially with respect to harp and viola repertoire.
APF does list three concertos by Lukáš - his piano concerto, his saxophone concerto grosso, and his horn concerto (op.223) - as having received archive recordings, in 1992, 1997, and 1989. Hrm. Also the concerto grosso with strings op.36 in 1984, the violin concerto in 1989, the concerto op.348 for violin and strings recorded in 2008, clarinet concerto in 1999. (Also two quartets at least- nos. 2 and 5. Don't know if those were recorded commercially, will check the website.)
I have most of the CD-recorded concerto works, but as this is a symphony thread I didn't list them. As you can see from his list of works from the linked wiki article he already has a huge number of symphonic and orchestral works without adding the ~50 concertante!
It might be worth pointing out that of the 22 Czech symphonies I identified back in February as having been previously issued on LP, nine have now been uploaded through the generosity of others, and particularly, recently, Elroel and MVS.
The nine are Jan Hanus Nos. 5 and 6; Ivor Jirasek "Mother Hope", Jaromir Podesva Nos.6 and 8; and Jiri Valek Nos. 7, 11, 12 and 13.
Still outstanding therefore are Jindrich Feld Nos. 1 and 2; Jan Kapr No. 7; Isa Krejci Nos. 1, 3 and 4; Jaromir Podesva Nos. 3, 4 and 7; Jiri Valek Nos. 5, 6, 8 and 9 ....if anybody has any of these :)
Jiri Valek's Symphonies Nos. 3, 4, 6 and 9 have now been added to the site :) Thanks, MVS :)
According to Mike Herman's discography the Valek Symphony No.5 "Guernica" was on a Supraphon set of LPS 110 1601 and No. 8 "Hic sunt homines" for soprano and orchestra was on a Supraphon LP 110 1569(coupled with No. 9).
......and now Valek's 5th and 8th symphonies have joined the others ;D
Many thanks, MVS :) :)
(Thirteen Czech symphonies down, just nine to go ;D)
The recent generous additions of Jindrich Feld's Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2 and Jan Kapr's Symphony No.7 means that the list of Czech Symphonies written post-1900 and originally identified as having been issued on LP has now shrunk from 22 to a mere six ;D
The outstanding six are:
Isa Krejci Symphonies Nos. 1 (1954-55: Panton 810830-1 from 1988), 3 (1961-63: Panton 8110 0476 from 1985) and 4 (1961-66: Panton 040 9999 from 1967 or in the coupling with No.3 from 1985) and Jaromir Podesva's Symphonies Nos. 3 "Culmination-The Pearl at the Bottom" (1966: Panton 040 9996 from 1967), 4 "Sinfonia da Camera" (1967: Supraphon 1110 3399 from 1984) and 7 "In memoriam J.P. jun."(1982-83: Supraphon 1119 3666 from 1984).
(Source: Mike Herman's invaluable Discography).
The Podesva Symphony No.4 should be possible since it was coupled with the Jiri Valkek Symphony No.13 which we had uploaded previously :)
Krejci was a neo-classicist whose music has an obvious appeal., Podesva, possibly a trifle more modern but still essentially a tonalist composer.
(I shall cross-post this to Download Requests).