FANTASY FOR VIOLIN

Košice State Philharmonic
Eugene TZIGANE , conductor
Josef ŠPAČEK, violin

Program:

Zdeněk Fibich: In the early evening. Selanka for orchestra, op. 39. 17'
Josef Suk: Fantasy for violin and orchestra in G minor, op. 24. 25'
Franz Schmidt: Symphony no. 4 C major. 45'

Orchestral composition In the early evening. Selanka for orchestra, op. 39 Zdeňka Fibich was composed in 1893. From the point of view of genre classification, the piece can be considered the composer's sixth symphonic poem, even though Fibich referred to his late symphonic poems as "symphonic paintings" because they had no literary precedent. He gave the composition the name "selanka" according to its prevailing mood, and most of the motifs originally come from the cycle of piano compositions Moods, impressions and reminders. At the same time, the work evokes a calm and idyllic mood, while the main impetus for its creation was the beginning of the composer's intense love affair with his student Anežka Schulzová.

In 1902, Josef Suk decided to start composing a virtuoso concert piece for his instrument - the violin. However, he approached the content and form of the work quite differently than in his first symphony, in which he strictly adhered to classical models. Instead of the traditional three-part model of the concert, he chose a one-part but richly detailed form of fantasy. The fact that the solo violin part sounds perfect is testament to Suk's intimate interpretive knowledge of this instrument.

While a large part of the work of the Austro-Hungarian composer and Bratislava native Franz Schmidt is deeply rooted in the style of the late 19th century, Symphony no. 4 is his most modern work. It is considered a requiem for Schmidt's daughter, who died at birth. The opening trumpet solo serves as the thematic link of the entire symphony. The Adagio begins with a beautiful cello solo, which then transforms into a very dramatic image. Molto vivace brings in fugue entrances, and the last movement represents the return of the opening impressive theme.