Zdeněk Fibich - Orchestral Works Vol. 2 (Marek Štilec)

Information

Composer: Zdeněk Fibich

• (01) Symphony No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 38
• (05) At Twilight – Idyll for Orchestra, Op. 39
• (06) Selanka – Idyll in B flat major for Clarinet and Orchestra, Op. 16

Irvin Venyš, clarinet
Czech National Symphony Orchestra
Marek Štilec, conductor

Date: 2014
Label: Naxos
https://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.573157

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Review

ARTISTIC QUALITY: 8 / SOUND QUALITY: 9

Fibich’s Second Symphony reveals a deeper concern with classical tradition than we find in the First. The orchestration, though still colorful, is more austere (no harp, no extra percussion), although in vintage romantic fashion the weight of the symphonic argument falls on the finale. This is the only movement featuring an exposition repeat, which (a testament to both Fibich’s and conductor Marek Stilec’s ability) happily doesn’t impede the music’s onward flow. The main influence here is Schumann, a bit less rhythmically rigid, perhaps, but sort of like a combination of the Spring Symphony’s first movement with the finale of the Rhenish.

At Twilight, subtitled “Idyll for Orchestra,” is a really lovely work with some delightful and forward looking touches of orchestration. Conductor Marek Stilec reveals himself as particularly sensitive here, deftly handling those unisons for flute and harp, or the magical dialog between suspended cymbal and strings after figure 27. Selenaka is another idyll, this time for clarinet and orchestra, with the solo very sympathetically played by Irvin Venys. As in the previous release in this series, the playing is very accomplished, the engineering a touch raw but vivid. There aren’t so many recordings of this music that collectors are spoiled for choice, but even in a more crowded field these performances would command attention. Easily recommended.

-- David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday

More reviews:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2014/Mar14/Fibich_orch_v2_8573157.htm
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2014/May14/Fibich_orch_v2_8573157.htm
https://www.audaud.com/fibich-symphony-no-2-at-twilight-idyll-for-orch-idyll-in-b-flat-for-clarinet-and-strings-irvin-venys-clar-czech-nat-sym-orch-marek-stilec-naxos/
https://www.naxos.com/reviews/reviewslist.asp?catalogueid=8.573157&languageid=EN
https://www.amazon.com/Fibich-Symphony-major-Twilight-Clarinet/dp/B00GK8P1A0

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Zdeněk Fibich (21 December 1850 – 15 October 1900) was a Czech composer of classical music. Fibich studied piano with Ignaz Moscheles and composition with Salomon Jadassohn and Ernst Richter. Fibich is far less known than either Dvořák or Smetana, partly because during the rise of Czech nationalism, he was living within the Habsburg Empire. Fibich's instrumental works were generally written in the vein of the German romantics. The bulk of his operas are in Czech, although many are based on non-Czech sources. In his chamber music, Fibich makes use of Bohemian folk melodies and dance rhythms.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zden%C4%9Bk_Fibich

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Marek Štilec (born 1985) is a Czech conductor. He studied at the Prague Conservatory and the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. Štilec has also participated in the masterclasses of Michael Tilson Thomas and Jorma Panula, among others. At the age of 17, Štilec founded the orchestra, Quattro, in which he acts as conductor and artistic leader. He collaborates with a wide range of leading orchestras and also works with many choirs. Štilec is a highly sought-after music label conductor and has recorded for Naxos and Arcodiva labels, as well as with Czech television and radio broadcasting.
https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marek_%C5%A0tilec
https://www.arcodiva.cz/en/agency/instrumental-soloists/marek-stilec/

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