Album

Various Artists

Kalabis: Symphonies & Concertos

Catalogue Number: SU 4109-2
Published: 22nd February 2013
Genre: Orchestral
Format: 3 CD
This album has received following awards:
  • Choc de Classica (2013)
  • Gramophone Choice - Re-issue of the Month (2013)
Symphony No. 2 "Sinfonia pacis", Op 18; Symphony No. 3, Op. 33; Symphonic Variations, Op. 24; Concerto for Large Orchestra, Op. 25
Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 17; Violin Concerto No. 2, Op. 49; Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings, Op. 42; Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Op. 64; Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra "Le tambour de villevieille", Op 36; Concertino for Bassoon and Wind Instruments, Op. 61

Josef Suk, Petr Škvor - violin, Zuzana Růžičková - harpsichord, Milan Langer - piano, Miroslav Kejmar - trumpet, Jiří Formáček - bassoon
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra / Wolfgang Sawallisch, Jiří Bělohlávek, Zdeněk Košler, Václav Neumann, Ladislav Slovák, Prague Symphony Orchestra, Prague Chamber Orchestra / Viktor Kalabis, Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra / Miloš Konvalinka, Tomáš Koutník

To mark the 90th anniversary of the birth of Viktor Kalabis, one of the most distinguished 20th-century Czech composers, Supraphon is releasing this special selection of his symphonies and concertos. The life of Kalabis and his wife, the renowned harpsichordist Zuzana Růžičková, was first afflicted by war and subsequently by the straitjacket of the Communist regime. The two forms of lack of freedom would have a marked impact on Kalabis's work. His Sinfonia pacis, one of the most frequently performed contemporary Czech pieces abroad, reflects the escalating tensions of the Cold War, without the composer succumbing to the clichés of the Communist "peace" proclamations. In connection with Symphony No. 3 (1970-71), its creator talked about the anxiety prevailing during the post-occupation years, defiance, as well as the final resignation beneath the unceasing suppression of truth. Kalabis's works duly enjoyed the attention of renowned orchestras, conductors and soloists (the Berliner Philharmoniker, Matačić, Casadesus, Blomstedt, Rilling, Ančerl, etc.). This new selection of recordings bears witness to a superlative composer, as well as the dark atmosphere of the time during which this music came to life.

Viktor Kalabis's symphonies and concertos - the legacy of a distinct composer and a fraught era.

Reviews

“The performer list for this special anniversary edition of Viktor Kalabis's orches­tral music reads like a who's who of twentieth century Czech music, and so it should: Kalabis is one of that region's greatest composers. Like many in these musically ignorant times, he still awaits wider recognition, and may never get it – but meanwhile, anyone with even the slightest interest in twentieth-century music should acquire this star-studded triple-CD from Supraphon, released to mark the 90th anniversary of the composer's birth.“
MusicWeb International, May 2013

“La musique que nous entendons est d'une originalité et d'une diversité étonnantes.“
Classica, May 2013

“Sadly, even the name, let alone the music, of Viktor Kalabis will be unknown to most readers, yet he was arguably the most important Czech composer in the period following the death of Martinů… this excellent collection, despite the variable age and quality of some recordings, will do very nicely in bringing his name before a wider audience“
Gramophone, July 2013

CD 1

Viktor Kalabis
Symphony No.2 "Sinfonia pacis" for Large Orchestra, Op. 18
1. Andante moderato 08:07
2. Allegro molto e drammatico 07:30
3. Andante, molto quieto /att./ 06:40
4. Allegro comodo e giocoso 05:39
Viktor Kalabis
Concerto No.1 for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 17
5. Maestoso. Andante 08:28
6. Andante angoscioso. Quasi adagio 06:45
7. Allegro vivace 06:30
Viktor Kalabis
8. Symphonic Variations for Large Orchestra, Op. 24 13:00

CD 2

Viktor Kalabis
Concerto for Large Orchestra (Concerto per grande orchestra), Op.25
1. Allegro 06:00
2. Adagio 06:55
3. Allegro assai 07:28
4. Allegro vivo 08:07
Viktor Kalabis
Symphony No.3 for Large Orchestra, Op. 33
5. Molto moderato 08:08
6. Allegro molto drammatico 10:44
7. Adagio molto e quieto 07:24
Viktor Kalabis
Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra "Le tambour de villevieille", Op. 36
8. Allegretto moderato 06:16
9. Andante. Vivo. Andante. Allegro vivo 11:45

CD 3

Viktor Kalabis
Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings, Op. 42
1. Allegro leggiero 08:16
2. Andante 08:36
3. Allegro vivo 10:41
Viktor Kalabis
4. Concerto No.2 for Violin and Orchestra (in one movement), Op. 49 15:23
Viktor Kalabis
Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Op.64
5. Allegro vivo - Andante - Poco vivo 22:19
Viktor Kalabis
6. Concertino for Basson and Wind Instruments, Op.61 12:39