Page 265 - (DK) The Classical Music Book - Big Ideas Simply Explained
P. 265
MODERN 1900–1950 263
I COME WITH THE
YOUTHFUL SPIRIT OF
MY COUNTRY, WITH
YOUTHFUL MUSIC
ˇ
SINFONIETTA (1926), LEOŠ JANÁCEK
zech composer Leoš
IN CONTEXT Janá cˇ ek’s Sinfonietta has
C an unforgettable, rousing
FOCUS start, with more than two minutes
Czech nationalism
of brass fanfares. This then gives
BEFORE way to four further movements— My Military Sinfonietta
1879 Smetana’s cycle of each evoking parts of Janá cˇ ek’s with the fanfares will
symphonic poems, Má vlast native Brno—that culminate in be played at the Sokol rally.
(My Country), is an expression a final round of fanfares from Do you remember the
of musical nationalism, each the orchestra’s expanded brass Písek fanfares?
poem evoking a different section. Originally titled Military Leoš Janá cˇek
Czech place or legend. Sinfonietta, the piece captures
the brash sound and atmosphere
1886 Czech and Moravian of a military band, including a
folk music inspires Dvorˇák’s blazing trombone solo and bold
Slavonic Dances for piano duet, solo trumpets.
whose popularity helps to
launch his international career. Musical salute celebrated “the contemporary
A sinfonietta is an orchestral work, free man, his spiritual beauty
AFTER shorter and lighter in tone than a and joy, his strength, courage, and
1938 Janá cˇ ek’s pupil Pavel symphony. The 71-year-old Janá cˇ ek determination to fight for victory.”
Haas’s opera Šarlatán (The composed his for a gymnastics Another source of inspiration,
Charlatan) premieres in Brno, festival in Prague in the summer however, was Janá cˇ ek’s passionate
influenced by Moravian folk of 1926, two years before his death. friendship with a married woman
music and Gregorian chant. For the patriotic Janá cˇ ek, his work 37 years his junior, Kamila
saluted his nation’s rebirth as an Stösslová. The composer reportedly
1955 Bohuslav Martinu˚’s independent country following had the idea for the fanfares that
chamber cantata, The centuries of subjugation under the open and close the Sinfonietta after
Opening of the Wells, is the Habsburg Empire. Dedicated to the sitting with her in a park listening
first of a cycle of cantatas Czech armed forces, the Sinfonietta to a military band give a concert. ■
inspired by his native
Moravian highlands. See also: The Bartered Bride 206 ■ Dvorˇák’s Symphony No. 9 212–215 ■
Bartók’s String Quartet No. 5 270–271 ■ Spartacus 309
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