Jan Novak: Concertos

Listen on Presto Music. Free thirty day trial. Find out more.

The recorded sound manages to capture the way Novák embeds the solo piano sound in the orchestral texture; Tomáš Netopil and the Prague Radio Symphony are on splendid form supplying attentive... — BBC Music Magazine, December 2023 More…

Release Date: 13th Oct 2023
Catalogue No: SU43312
Label: Supraphon
Length: 71 minutes

In stock

Usually despatched within 1 working day

Novák, J: Concentus biiugis for Piano 4-Hands & String Orchestra

Work length23:44

$3.15

$4.05

$4.80

Dora Novak-Wilmington (piano), Karel Košárek (piano)
Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
Tomáš Netopil

I. Allegro energico

Track length6:30

$1.05

$1.35

$1.60

II. Lento

Track length8:27

$1.05

$1.35

$1.60

III. Allegro

Track length8:47

$1.05

$1.35

$1.60

Novák, J: Choreae Vernales

Work length17:10

$3.15

$4.05

$4.80

Clara Nováková (flute)
Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
Tomáš Netopil

I. Con liberta. Allegretto

Track length6:11

$1.05

$1.35

$1.60

II. Andante – Agitato

Track length5:01

$1.05

$1.35

$1.60

III. Lento – Allegro

Track length5:58

$1.05

$1.35

$1.60

Novák, J: Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra

Work length30:46

$3.15

$4.05

$4.80

Dora Novak-Wilmington (piano), Karel Košárek (piano)
Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
Tomáš Netopil

I. Allegro

Track length12:33

$1.05

$1.35

$1.60

II. Andante

Track length7:46

$1.05

$1.35

$1.60

III. Allegro molto

Track length10:27

$1.05

$1.35

$1.60

About
Reviews
Explore

About

The music of Jan Novak (1921-1984) is extraordinary and remarkable as such. However, this recording puts a kind of stamp of authenticity on it since the solo parts are played not only by pianist Karel Kosarek but also by both of the composer's daughters. While flautist Clara Novakova might have gone back in memories to the time when she was fifteen and her father dedicated the first version of Choreae vernales to her, Dora Novak-Wilmington sat on the piano stool instead of her mother, Eliska, who played the instrument as brilliantly as her husband, Jan. In a way, the recording exudes the atmosphere of a family reunion across time. Novak's Concerto for Two Pianos reflects his impressions of studying with Bohuslav Martinu in New York (where they visited jazz clubs together) as well as his desire for recognition from his teacher. The historical recording of the work (Jan and Eliska Novak, Czech Philharmonic, Karel Ancerl, 1957) deserves to be complemented by a representative modern recording. Concentus biiugis for piano four hands was performed in the year of its creation in the composer's exile in Germany as a way of supporting Charter 77, an anti-regime movement in his homeland. The first version of Choreae vernales was written in the same year in Italy and three years later Novak clothed it in the colourful attire of string orchestra. It is this nearly unknown version of the composition that is newly recorded here. The orchestra's involvement and renowned conductor Tomas Netopil's distinct musicianship help the soloists to create Jan Novak's colourful and striking musical landscape.

Reviews

December 2023

The recorded sound manages to capture the way Novák embeds the solo piano sound in the orchestral texture; Tomáš Netopil and the Prague Radio Symphony are on splendid form supplying attentive and idiomatic accompaniment.

December 2023

What next for Martinů fanciers? This, perhaps: the best of a clutch of releases exploring the music of his student, Jan Novák (1921-84).

Jan Novak: Concertos

CD

Downloads

Contents

Download queue