Zdeněk Fibich - Orchestral Works Vol. 5 (Marek Štilec)

Information

Composer: Zdeněk Fibich

• (01) Symphony No. 3 in E minor, Op. 53
• (05) Šárka, Op. 51: Overture
• (06) Bouře (The Tempest), Op. 40, Act III: Overture
• (07) Nevěsta messinská (The Bride of Messina), Op. 18, Act III: Funeral March

Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra
Marek Štilec, conductor

Date: 2020
Label: Naxos
https://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.574120

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Review

ARTISTIC QUALITY: 9 / SOUND QUALITY: 9

The three symphonies (and other orchestral works) of Zdenĕk Fibich enjoy a tenuous hold on the repertoire, and even less than that outside of the Czech lands, but they are all enjoyable, well-made works. They have been recorded notably by Karel Šejna (in mono), and more recently quite well by Neeme Järvi for Chandos. Naxos’ cycle is the most comprehensive, containing the symphonies, tone poems, overtures, and other orchestral music, and yields to none in quality. Marek Štilec understands the music, and conducts with obvious conviction, as well as that lively rhythmic impulse that all Czech music seems to possess, even when (as here) it does not sound obviously Czech (i.e. like Dvořak). The scherzo is particularly appealing, and this is one of the few romantic symphonies with a moderately paced, Allegro maestoso finale that actually works–it’s not inflated, bombastic, or dull.

The couplings are also well worth having, and virtually impossible to find elsewhere outside of the old Supraphon recordings of the complete works in question. They are all quite substantial (8+ minutes each) and deserve an independent concert live. Once again, Štilec proves a completely reliable and sympathetic guide to music that reveals Fibich’s well-developed dramatic side rather more effectively than in the relatively conservative symphonies. The Ostrava orchestra plays very well, with a good bit more sophistication and refinement of ensemble than used to be the case, and perhaps Štilec deserves credit for that as well. Warm, realistic sonics round out this appealing picture.

-- David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday

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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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