Overtures from Czechia

 

At least, I think that is what I once knew as the Czech Republic and Czechoslovakia.

No matter. Here we have Volume Four in Naxos' Fibich orchestral works series, and it is a markéd improvement from Vol. 3.

Perhaps it is the shorter nature of these works compared to the previous volume's longer symphonic poems, but the Czech National Symphony Orchestra just sounds more put together here.

Most of this music is highlighted as not having been recording before, so there is a certain amount of freshness from this vantage point as well. I especially like the Hedy ballet music from these unearthed pieces, which is unusually outgoing musically. Otherwise, there are four occasional pieces which display a certain pomp and circumstance, and the march taken from an opera is nicely buoyant.

The two overtures which open the program will be more familiar to those who have explored Fibich on Supraphon. I still think those are better recordings, orchestrally speaking, where the ensembles have a solid bearing compared to the lighter, thinner playing quality from the CNSO on Naxos, although these pieces allow more musical aggression from the ensemble in general.

For those wanting to explore more from Czech composer Zdeněk Fibich aside from his symphonies, I could easily seeing this recording being a satisfying place to wander.

Listen on YouTube

Works
Night at Karlstein (10.10)
Comenius (12.09)
Jew of Prague (6.30)
Hedy: Ballet Music (17.42)
Hippodamia's Death: March (5.28)
New Czech Theatre Overtures (13.44)

Performers
Czech National Symphony Orchestra
Marek Štilec, conductor

Label: Naxos
Year: 2014
Total Timing: 66.00

 

 

 

Better than the previous volume, although seams in the orchestral playing can still be found here; just not as frequently, nor as consistently.

The music is also more concise, making these overtures more appetizing, if not particularly essential.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find more Fibich recordings HERE!