Suk, Josef

[Sydney Grew]

Suk, Josef

Josef Suk was born in the village of Krecovice in 1874.

After having studied under Dvořák, he went on to follow his own path in a steady, organic development from lyricism, gradually achievng a complex polytonal musical language.

Worthy of note, as supreme masterpieces of twentieth century music, are:

- Fantasy in G minor, opus 24, for violin and orchestra (1903)

- Fantastic Scherzo in G minor for orchestra, opus 25 (1903)

- Prague, tone poem for orchestra, opus 26 (1904)

- Symphony no. 2 in C minor, opus 27 (1906)

- String Quartet no. 2, opus 31 (1911)

- Zrání [Ripening], Symphonic poem for large orchestra and (only towards the end) chorus, opus 34 (1917)

- Cycle of five Symphonic Poems from Czech History, for orchestra (1917)

- Epilogue, Symphonic poem for large orchestra and singers, opus 37 (1929)

[BBMmk2]

Strangely enough, I played some Suk a couple of days ago. Prague and A Summer’s Tale(BBCSO/Behlalohvek - Chandos). Should be played more, really.

[Serial_Apologist]

Suk's 40-minute Symphony No. 1 in E of 1898 is shortly to be broadcast following the Beethoven PC4 on today's Afternoon Concert, which should be a rare treat. I'm not familiar with early Suk, being more so with the Asrael and works subsequent to it, all of which I have a great love for, and I anticipate a lot of Dvorak influence, but could be jumping the gun here.

[teamsaint]

Suk's 40-minute Symphony No. 1 in E of 1898 is shortly to be broadcast following the Beethoven PC4 on today's Afternoon Concert, which should be a rare treat. I'm not familiar with early Suk, being more so with the Asrael and works subsequent to it, all of which I have a great love for, and I anticipate a lot of Dvorak influence, but could be jumping the gun here.

I wonder, 18 months on, what you made of the symphony, S-A?

Currently listening to Spring, fove pieces for piano. I’m also tempted by another piano work, Things Lived and Dreamed, not least for its lovely title.
Might have a bash at Asrael with a score on Youtube shortly too.

[Serial_Apologist]

I wonder, 18 months on, what you made of the symphony, S-A?

Currently listening to Spring, fove pieces for piano. I’m also tempted by another piano work, Things Lived and Dreamed, not least for its lovely title.
Might have a bash at Asrael with a score on Youtube shortly too.

Can't remember now whether I even listened to it TS! The later piano works push towards atonality and were admired by Berg I believe: they are magical to me.

[teamsaint]

Can't remember now whether I even listened to it TS! The later piano works push towards atonality and were admired by Berg I believe: they are magical to me.

Sounds like a good recommendation all round. I’ll have a listen .

[richardfinegold]

I don’t hear a lot Dvorak in Asreal. I also don’t have a lot of appreciation for it, having tried 3 different recordings. My favorite part is the First Movement and I tend to think the inspiration flags after that. It reminds me of Ilya Muromentz in that it is a large symphonic scaffold with some great music surrounded by a lot of padding

[mikealdren]

Strange that among the list of 'supreme masterpieces of twentieth century music' he didn't mention the String serenade or the 4 pieces for violin and piano, possibly he most played works.