The monumental symphonic tetralogy by Josef Suk (1874-1935) Asrael, Summer Tale,
Ripening and Epilogue is rounded out in this complete collection of symphonic poems by Praga and the famous suite Fairy Tale in brilliant interpretations by the Czech Philharmonic and conductors Václav Neumann (CD 1, 3, 4) and Libor Pešek (CD 2, 3 - Fairy Tale Op. 16). - Asrael was dedicated to "the exalted memory of Dvořák and Otylie /Mrs. Suk." - Summer Tale was conceived as a gathering of his impressions of the positive effect of the countryside on the soul of a man wounded by the blows of fate. - The symphonic poem Ripening - Suk's "song of life, mighty in its internal tension and masterful architecture." - Epilogue - the close of the tetralogy, based on a text by Ladislav Vycpávek - first presented on December 20, 1933 by Václav Talich and the Czech Philharmonic. Josef Suk's symphonic monument - agem of Czech music
Reviews
“His reading is at its best in more combative sections of the outer movements, above all in the first's climatic onslaught…“ Gramophone, June 2018
CD 1
Josef Suk
Asrael. Symphony for Large Orchestra in C minor, Op. 27