Czech Composers vs. Each Other

[karlhenning]

Still, I was delighted that Dana opened his program with a Dvořák string trio.  Made even "the world's worst viola sonata" seem like a natural flow . . . .

[DavidW]

Reicha is getting gouged because not enough people know his music. Where's Fibich? And Benda and Vanhal...    I voted for Dvorak cause I like his looks; good, solid, conservative looking sort of person....

haha Dvorak looks like a pug!

[Brahmsian]

haha Dvorak looks like a pug!

Ha!     Maybe I should have named my pug Dvorak! 

[mc ukrneal]

Ha!     Maybe I should have named my pug Dvorak! 

Anyone who names their dog Dvorak gets my vote!

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

But in all honesty, I haven't really explored much of Dvorak's Chamber music.  Perhaps my interest will revive if I do a little exploring in that direction.

You're in for a treat. Dvorak is a great chamber music composer - just like his pal Brahms.

Reicha is getting gouged because not enough people know his music.

Like me, until last year. I didn't hear a note of the guy until 2009. Ignorance can be a formidable barrier to overcome.

Where's Fibich? And Benda and Vanhal...

And Cernohorsky, Vejvanovsky, Stamitz, Vorisek, Novak, Kabelac, Husa, Krommer, Foerster,...? They're all under "Other"!

I voted for Dvorak cause I like his looks; good, solid, conservative looking sort of person....

My dear Gurn, you disappoint me...voting for a composer because of his looks?!?

[Josquin des Prez]

Reicha is getting gouged because not enough people know his music.

I heard some of his work. Wasn't impressed. Zelenka on the other hand is amazing.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Zelenka on the other hand is amazing.

Zelenka is wonderful. Was listening to his Lamentations of Jeremiah recently. Such dark, affecting music. Not a surprise to discover that none other than JS Bach was a great admirer of Zelenka.

[Brian]

Reicha is getting gouged because not enough people know his music. Where's Fibich? And Benda and Vanhal...  

And Cernohorsky, Vejvanovsky, Stamitz, Vorisek, Novak, Kabelac, Husa, Krommer, Foerster,...? They're all under "Other"!

You guys are killing me. No mention of Kalliwoda???

Another "other" composer for y'all's edification: Vycpalek. Ancerl recorded his "Cantata for the Last Things of Man," which is pretty good, and also, as you have noticed, has an AMAZING title.

[Bulldog]

Reicha is getting gouged because not enough people know his music.

He's not getting gouged.  He just doesn't have any votes, and that's not surprising given the other names on the list.  I've been a fan of Reicha's music for many years, but I couldn't vote for him ahead of Dvorak or Janacek.

[springrite]

My vote never counted. Janacek should be in the lead and Suk should have a solitary vote as well.

[Gurn Blanston]

He's not getting gouged.  He just doesn't have any votes, and that's not surprising given the other names on the list.  I've been a fan of Reicha's music for many years, but I couldn't vote for him ahead of Dvorak or Janacek.

What can I say; I didn't either. I'm very keen on Bohemians (Rosetti is another fave), choosing one, even off a limited list, is too damned difficult.

[DavidW]

choosing one, even off a limited list, is too damned difficult.

That's funny: it was easy for me.  Dvorak!

[Scarpia]

My vote never counted. Janacek should be in the lead and Suk should have a solitary vote as well.

Now we have to figure out if your vote was intercepted by the Great Firewall of China, or the U.S. Homeland Security Department.   

[mc ukrneal]

My vote never counted. Janacek should be in the lead and Suk should have a solitary vote as well.

I think it did. After I voted, Janacek and Dvorak were tied at one apiece and we were the first to respond.

[Scarpia]

I think it did. After I voted, Janacek and Dvorak were tied at one apiece and we were the first to respond.

And how does that explain that Suk shows zero? 

[mc ukrneal]

And how does that explain that Suk shows zero?

Who voted for Suk?  Springrite voted for Janacek.

[Scarpia]

Who voted for Suk?  Springrite voted for Janacek.

I took Springrites post immediately above as indicating he voted for Suk.  But at this point I don't see what he means (i.e., only one vote is permitted).

[not edward]

For once, a poll I find easy to answer. Much as I love Martinu, and as I keep finding new things to admire in Dvorak, Janacek is one of the composers who speaks most directly to me.

[Superhorn]

  I love Czech music so much I can't possibly choose among Smetana,Dvorak or Janacek. I don't quite know the music of the other composers as well as these so I can't say. But I do enjoy what I've heard of their music very much,and I have heard a fair amount of it.  There's so much of Martinu's huge output I haven't heard yet
but would like to.
  I have Jarvi's excellent Chandos recordings of the three Fibich symphonies with the now troubled Detroit Symphony, and these are delightful, but no one else but Jarvi seems to have done them in the US except the tireless Neeme.Too bad.
   And if you can find the Supraphon recording of his opera Sarka(pronounced Sharka) ,grab it. It's a sleeper. This is the same subject as the Sarka in Smetana's Ma Vlast.
  I also have the mono Supraphon recording of choral work"The Storm" by Dvorak pupil Vitezslav Novak, which is a striking work that deserves to be better known,coupled with Dvorak's spooky oratorio "The Spectre's Bride". I recommend this 2 CD set highly.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

The heart says Martinu but I know Janacek must be it.