Album

František Rauch

Novák: Piano Works

Catalogue Number: SU 3744-2
Published: 28th July 2003
Genre: Chamber Music
Format: 3 CD
The Czech composer Vítězslav Novák (1870 - 1949) first became aware of his artistic talent relatively late, while a student at the gymnasium in Jindřichův Hradec, and from then on embarked ona systematic and active cultivation of his musical gift, initially under the tutelage of local orchestra conductor Pojman. Still then he earned a repute as a brilliant pianist, giving proof ofenviable performing skills which he subsequently still refined during conservatory lessons with Josef Jiránek. As a student of Antonín Dvořák's class, moreover, he saw the development of his compositional talent as well. The outcome of these compound early educative influences were several outstanding piano cycles which - for all their unbridled youthful temperament which sets them within acategory in its own right, standing apart from the crux of Novák's oeuvre - by and large do aspire to a relevant niche in the gallery of Czech piano music. They encompass a wide spectrum, ranging from delightful romantic genre pictures (as in Sonatinas or Youth), to works conveying a serious philosophical message (such as the nearly hour-long, five-movement monumental composition, Pan). Novák's work requires an interpreter whose art combines the utmost technical sovereignty with creative and human maturity. In either respect, one could hardly imagine a better choice than wasFrantišek Rauch (1910 - 1996), a loving champion and erudite propagator of Czech piano literature, and moreover Novák's personal pupil.
Novák on the wings of youthful zest and deep in meditation.

CD 1

Vítězslav Novák
Sonatina for Piano in C major "Spring", Op. 54, č. 1
1. Allegro molto moderato (The Nightingale Darted Skyward and Rejoices) 03:16
2. Andante (The Forest's Greetings) 02:39
3. Allegro giocoso (Merry Company) 02:48
Vítězslav Novák
Sonatina for Piano in A minor "From Children's Lives", Op. 54, č. 2
4. Allegro agitato (Ailing Child) 03:35
5. Andante con tenerezza (Lullaby) 03:56
6. Alla marcia (First Adventure) 03:52
Vítězslav Novák
Sonatina for Piano in F major "Holiday Time", Op. 54, č. 3
7. Vivace (Early in the Morning) 03:34
8. Andante cantabile (A Well in the Wood) 03:09
9. Allegro moderato (Amongst Children) 03:18
Vítězslav Novák
Sonatina for Piano in E minor "Fairy-Tale", Op. 54, č. 4
10. Andante triste (Princess in Distress) 03:49
11. Grave (Dragon) 02:40
12. Allegretto energico (Rescue by Prince Charming) 04:27
Vítězslav Novák
Sonatina for Piano in D minor "Brigand", Op. 54, č. 5
13. Con moto, deciso (Jánošík ) 04:25
14. Cantabile (Starlit Night) 04:28
15. Feroce (Brigands Revelry) 03:39
Vítězslav Novák
Sonatina for Piano in G major "Christmas", Op. 54, č. 6
16. Quasi allegretto (Pastorale) 04:56
17. Andante (Advent Matins chant from the Time of Hus) 05:12

CD 2

Vítězslav Novák
Sonata eroica, Op. 24
1. Allegro patetico 12:04
2. Andante mesto - Allegro energico 10:18
Vítězslav Novák
Pan. A Poem in Tones, Op. 43
3. Prolog /att./ 07:41
4. The Mountains 08:02
5. The Sea 09:27
6. The Forest 11:43
7. Woman 17:06

CD 3

Vítězslav Novák
Bagatelles, Op. 5
1. Reminiscence (Andante con sentimento) 02:14
2. Scherzino (Vivace) 01:52
3. Ditty (Allegretto comodo) 01:27
4. Serenata (Allegretto capriccioso) 01:37
Vítězslav Novák
My May. Four Piano Pieces, Op. 20
5. Andante semplice 02:01
6. Molto tranquillo 02:32
7. Andante spianato 03:35
8. Allegro vigoroso (In Slovácko Style) 02:01
Vítězslav Novák
Songs on Winter Nights, Op. 30
9. Song on Moonlit Night. Andante amoroso 04:54
10. Song on Stormy Night. Allegro tempestoso 02:18
11. Song on Christmas Night. Andante misterioso 06:22
12. Song on Carnival Night. Allegro burlesco, rubato 03:48
Vítězslav Novák
Youth., Op. 55
13. Children's Tune. Allegretto semplice 00:52
14. In Good Humour. Andante quasi allegretto 00:39
15. Great Woe. Andante piangendo 01:21
16. Longing. Lento con sentimento 02:37
17. March. Con moto moderato, ben ritmico 01:41
18. Lullaby. Lento con sentimo 01:57
19. Moonlit Night. Andante cantando 02:31
20. Little Shepherd-Boy. Allegretto pastorale 01:51
21. A Game. Vivace 01:33
22. Two Czech Dances: 1. Neighbour's Dance. Tempo comodo 02:25
23. Two Czech Dances: 2. Furiant. Con fuoco 02:03
24. Devil's Polka. Andante con motto, grottesco 03:08