Josef Suk - About Mother Op. 28 (1907)

[@urmorph]

A bit more about the history behind these pieces: Josef Suk was Dvorak's favorite pupil, and later son-in-law. It was known early on that Otilie Dvorakova had a heart condition, probably atrial fibrillation, but she produced a healthy son without any obvious problems, to the joy of the entire family. In April of 1904, Dvorak died rather suddenly, and 14 months later his daughter followed him (age 27), leaving Suk bereft of friend and mentor, and beloved wife, and with a small child to care for. He wrote these for and dedicated them to his son, so the boy would have some idea of his mother's character. The fourth piece, About Mama's Heart, is literally that--a musical depiction of afib. It ends, of course, with death. For English speakers the final movement might be better translated "Memories." PS The boy, Josef Suk Jr., was not a musician, but his son, also Josef, was one of the world's great violinists. He died in July, 2011, not quite 82, and sadly childless. Joseph the composer was also a violinist, but left an amazing body of solo piano music, available for free download at imslp.org

[@lyricaltones]

Interesting fact: the middle part of the fourth piece About Mama's Heart is based on the angel Raguil's motif from Suk's music to Julius Zeyer's legend Under the Apple Tree.

[@nah6541]

Marvelous!

[@sebastianbrix]

This collection of pieces is an absolute gem. Thanks for sharing!

[@hanusbarton6061]

Nejlepší provedení, co znám. Best interpretation I know.

[@tarikeld11]

Thank you for your work. It is great to her those unknown but fantastic pieces.

[@pomarepalmer1942]

Between Fingerhut's inspired caress and Suk's precious sentiment, tone and meaning in Souvenir come across with the utmost delicate sanctity imaginable! A blessing to hear.

[@albertusdrostable]

Een gratis CD van Suk als je je hebt aangemeld voor de Naxos nieuwsbrief! Ik kende deze componist nog niet, maar ik vind het erg goed!