Husa: Music for Prague 1968

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Күн бұрын

Music for Prague 1968
Karel Husa
The University of Texas Wind Ensemble
Jerry Junkin, conductor
Bates Recital Hall, Austin, Texas
November 21, 2021
I. Introduction and Fanfare (0:03)
II. Aria (6:05)
III. Interlude (11:32)
IV. Toccata and Chorale (15:28)
"Three main ideas bind the composition together. The first and most important is an old Hussite war song from the 15th century, Ye Warriors of God and His Law, a symbol of resistance and hope for hundreds of years, whenever fate lay heavy on the Czech nation. It has been utilized also by many Czech composers, including Smetana in My Country. The beginning of this religious song is announced very softly in the first movement by the timpani and concludes in a strong unison (Chorale). The song is never used in its entirety.
The second idea is the sound of bells throughout, Prague, named also the City of “Hundreds of Towers,” has used its magnificently sounding church bells as calls of distress as well as of victory. The last idea is a motif of three chords first appearing very softly under the piccolo solo at the beginning of the piece, in flutes, clarinets and horns. Later it reappears at extremely strong dynamic levels, for example, in the middle of the Aria.
Different techniques of composing as well as orchestrating have been used in Music for Prague 1968 and some new sounds explored, such as the percussion section in the Interlude, the ending of the work, etc. Much symbolism also appears: in addition to the distress calls in the first movement (Fanfares), the unbroken hope of the Hussite song, sound of bells, or the tragedy (Aria), there is also the bird call at the beginning (piccolo solo), a symbol of the liberty which the City of Prague has seen only for moments during its thousand years of existence."
- Karel Husa

Пікірлер: 26

@52and36 6 ай бұрын

I played this piece under the direction of Husa in 1977. One of the best experiences of my early college days.

@bagpipegnat 2 ай бұрын

He came to our college roughly 1983.. 1984 ..( i think roughly the dates) .. conducted our wind ensemble and premiered his saxophone concerto.

@jonathanr2830 2 жыл бұрын

Great performance. This piece has been stuck with me since I performed it with a symphonic band in the early 1970's, visited very troubled Praha with a youth orchestra in 1973, then years later attended its performance by the Dallas Symphony under the baton of Carl Husa, himself. Before taking the podium to begin the performance Husa addressed the audience very politely. He took the opportunity to very emphatically debunk widespread rumors that his composition essentially incorporated musical sound effects to represent the invading Soviet tanks that he witnessed rolling into his city. He told us that the entire piece was composed at its core to capture his profound shock and deep visceral emotional reaction to that Soviet invasion of his beloved country - without other interpretations or meanings attached.

@46metube 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for colouring in those details. I'm listening for the first time - by chance, simply because KZbin brought it to my attention.

@jonathanr2830 2 жыл бұрын

@@46metube You are most welcome. KZbin is wonderful in how it facilitates such discoveries in so many areas. All the very best to you!

@abelsantos76 Жыл бұрын

I hope something this profound and important comes out of the current events, pertaining to the current situation in/from the same invading country… music like this, is but a minor fraction as to why music is one of the most historically transcendental human responses to their/our emotional state(s) of being. Thank you to UT Texas (Austin), Dr Junkin, and the members of this ensemble for your interpretation of this piece. I hope you all had a sense of emotional connection, to the piece, the composer, and as to why this piece is so important.

@davidkirby5044 19 күн бұрын

EASILY one if the five most imperative pieces of all 20th Century music. I might even rank it as number two behind Igor Stravinsky's RITE of SPRING. Once this music gets under your skin you will never tire of revisiting it. Also, the entire Husa cannon is highly recommended for innovation and beauty. Thank you, Karel.

@JJBRMusic 2 жыл бұрын

I remember doing this with the Portland Youth Wind Ensemble back in 2009 and OH BOY. was this the scariest piece I've done as a 14 year old.

@smith5319 2 жыл бұрын

14 oh man

@darreldennison4573 Жыл бұрын

I was there haha. 3rd chair trumpet. It stuck with me too

@bonsaibobby1 3 ай бұрын

As a long time percussionist,I am very familiar with this masterpiece,composed by the late,Karel Husa.. I played the snare part in both high school and Jr. College symphonic and Woodwind arts ensemble... I have listened to Prague being performed literally hundreds of times since '71-,73 and can state unequivocally,that this interpretation and performance,is the very best that I've heard to date... Absolutely stunning to my ears..

@johnbayer9795 3 ай бұрын

Heard this piece once, on radio, many years ago, & recall being impressed with the Hussite hymn alongside the percussion in the finale. While short, this section seems an appropriate response to oppression even today.