Thu, 19. 3. 2020, 7.00 p.m.
B5 INSPIRED BY LISZT - alternative date 16. 9. 2020
Venue: Zlín Congress Centre | Organizer: Filharmonie Bohuslava Martinů, o.p.s. |
SMETANA: Hakon Jarl, Op. 16
KOVAŘOVIC: Piano Concerto in F minor, Op. 6
BEETHOVEN: Symphony no. 5 in C minor, 'Fate', Op. 67
ALEXANDER GHINDIN, piano
BOHUSLAV MARTINŮ PHILHARMONIC
LEOŠ SVÁROVSKÝ, Conductor
The intrinsic thematic core of this concert is Franz Liszt, whose musical legacy was fundamental in the way it influenced a whole generation of composers. While this evening's concert does not include any work by Liszt himself, all the works have their own particular connection to him.
The opening piece, Bedřich Smetana's symphonic poem Hakon Jarl, was written during the time the composer spent in Gothenburg, southern Sweden, where Smetana's first programmatic works composed in the manner of Liszt's symphonic poems took shape, inspired by historical themes from Anglo-Saxon and Czech history and Norse mythology. Hakon Jarl is based on the historic tragedy of the same name by the Danish poet and dramatist Adam Öhlenschläger. It tells the story of a Norwegian pagan usurper Håkon and the associated fundamental conflict between the followers of the old Norse gods and of christianity.
Karel Kovařovic was considered a major figure of Czech musical life in his time. From 1900-1920 he held the prestigious post of head of the National Theatre Opera, and was also an excellent conductor and prolific composer. His F-minor piano concerto written in 1887 has a lavish textural perfection that builds on the Lisztian tradition. Despite its undeniable artistic quality, however, the work has most regrettably not made a lasting mark yet on the Czech concerto repertoire. It is performed tonight by the Russian pianist Alexander Ghindin.
The final work in tonight's programme evidently needs no detailed introduction. One of the most memorable symphonies in the classical music canon, Beethoven's 5th Symphony with its epithet 'Fate' was subsequently transcribed by Franz Liszt in 1837 as a virtuoso piano work. Written when he was beginning to lose his hearing, Beethoven in this work sought to come to terms with his own destiny, break out of a spiritual darkness and find the light of life that he needed. At the podium for this concert is the Zlín philharmonic orchestra's Principal Guest Conductor Leoš Svárovský.