Blodek Symphony in D minor

[Alan Howe]

To be broadcast on BBC Radio 3's Through the Night at around 2.20 (am), i.e. v. early, on Saturday 7th morning.

[terry martyn]

I have a feeling that this was recorded on Supraphon, long,long ago, but I can find no trace of the recording

[Ilja]

There was a Supraphon recording with the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ondrej Kukal. It's on Spotify here, More information about the work here.

[Alan Howe]

The work (dating from 1859?) can be heard here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eftrUSXY3nM

Pilsen Radio Orchestra/Bohumír Liška (conductor)

Review here:
https://number9reviews.blogspot.com/2020/04/music-review-vilem-blodek-symphony-in-d.html

More information here:
https://www.czech.radio/node/8034391

[terry martyn]

Thanks,Alan

A lyrical and slightly melancholic work, which sounds superior to Smetana's Festive Symphony. So, it appears that there has never been a commercial CD released, which is pretty surprising,in my view.

[Alan Howe]

So, it appears that there has never been a commercial CD released, which is pretty surprising,in my view.

No, but there's a very cheap commercial download available from Amazon, under the title 'Vilém Blodek: Orchestral Works':
https://www.amazon.co.uk/music/player/albums/B078XSLTB3?ref=sr_1_4&s=dmusic&keywords=blodek&crid=2VHK7R3IPM32W&sprefix=blodek%2Cdigital-music%2C170&qid=1663862200&sr=1-4   (see tracks 9-12)

This link also tells us that the performers are the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ondřej Kukal:
https://music.apple.com/co/album/vil%C3%A9m-blodek-orchestral-works/1334047065?l=en

[Alan Howe]

...and, having downloaded it, I can thoroughly recommend this beautifully played and recorded performance.

It's an attractive piece. Much more convincing than Smetana's roughly contemporary and empty Festive Symphony! Quite heavy in places too, in good D minor fashion.

[Ilja]

If I remember correctly, the symphony wasn't performed after Blodek's death until 1966. It's a very attractive work, miles better than Smetana's symphony. The Kukal recording was made in 2012.

[Alan Howe]

The Kukal recording was made in 2012.

...as the Czech Radio link above confirms.

[Sharkkb8]

Download also available here on Apple Music (previously iTunes) for their usual $10, or free with an Apple Music subscription ("free" in the sense that it's included with monthly sub $).  The album also contains an apparent orchestral suite, entitled "Music for the Shakespeare Celebrations".  Has anyone listened?

[Alan Howe]

Download also available here on Apple Music

As I mentioned above. Does nobody read the previous posts?

[Sharkkb8]

I sincerely apologize.

[JP]

Will make a good coupling with the Moscheles symphony.

[Alan Howe]

I sincerely apologize.

No need, I'm sure. It's sometimes good to have a repeat mention.

[razorback]

There also is a short Flute Concerto available on an old Koch-Schwann CD released in 1982 and still available at Amazon. 
https://www.amazon.com/Blodek-Demersseman-Furstenau-Doppler-Concertos/dp/B000006KL9

In addition, this same piece of music is on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAPLkAJAd5Q