Miloslav Kabelac(1908-79)

[Karl Henning]

 Quote from: Dundonnell on Today at 10:02:04 AM

However, this is really not helping further discussion of Kabelac himself. I am, quite frankly, amazed that we have got to page 4

   
Part of that was the inevitable Koechlin diversion ; )

That Ančerl disc is an obvious temptation.

[starrynight]

I never said you shouldn't have started a thread though.  What I said was that there is much more out there than you would find on this board, and that I don't require a recommendation here to look at a composer.  I don't mind seeing your opinion but I can also have another opinion.   And I'm happy there is a bit of discussion, so much better than 'I like this piece', 'I don't like that piece'. which is what you normally get.  Though some people (and I'm not saying you) tend to be uncomfortable with discussion of music they like if it turns critical, over-identifying with it.

[Dundonnell]

I never said you shouldn't have started a thread though.  What I said was that there is much more out there than you would find on this board, and that I don't require a recommendation here to look at a composer.  I don't mind seeing your opinion but I can also have another opinion.   And I'm happy there is a bit of discussion, so much better than 'I like this piece', 'I don't like that piece'. which is what you normally get.  Though some people (and I'm not saying you) tend to be uncomfortable with discussion of music they like if it turns critical, over-identifying with it.

Cannot-and therefore will not - quarrel with any of that

[vandermolen]

Quote from: Dundonnell on Today at 10:02:04 AM

However, this is really not helping further discussion of Kabelac himself. I am, quite frankly, amazed that we have got to page 4

   
Part of that was the inevitable Koechlin diversion ; )

That Ančerl disc is an obvious temptation.

Apologies for my part in the Koechlin diversion. Now back to the Miaskovsky discussion 

[Mirror Image]

Apologies for my part in the Koechlin diversion. Now back to the Miaskovsky discussion 

Yes, now back to the Honegger discussion.

[vandermolen]

'Mystery of Time' has been the discovery of 2012 for me so far (thank you Colin). I am reminded in places of Shostakovich's 11th Symphony in places; not just the muffled timpani and looming threat at the start but also during the noisy climax too. From about 20:15, as the music winds down, I find it incredibly moving - there is a great sense of sadness, culminating in an eloquent violin solo.

[starrynight]

Thanks for talking about elements in the music.  Often I find people don't really want to talk about why they like something by looking at the actual music but just give vague terms of praise.  One of the things people like about it I suspect is the ambition, but for me that is always secondary to whether I think a piece successfully accomplishes its aims (whether they be large or small).  And your remark shows that some may like it as it reminds them of a style of another composer they may rate highly.

[Dundonnell]

'Mystery of Time' has been the discovery of 2012 for me so far (thank you Colin). I am reminded in places of Shostakovich's 11th Symphony in places; not just the muffled timpani and looming threat at the start but also during the noisy climax too. From about 20:15, as the music winds down, I find it incredibly moving - there is a great sense of sadness, culminating in an eloquent violin solo.

I am naturally very pleased that you are so taken by 'The Mystery of Time'. Jeffrey I must confess that I did think that you would

In order to be a bit more analytical than my somewhat more vague expressions of enthusiasm I have looked out a couple of reviews. I am quoting from them not to attempt to prove a point-that would be silly-but to provide more descriptive comment on the music itself.

I realise that quoting David Hurwitz is not always advisable  but he thinks:

"Miloslav Kabelác (1908-79) was one of the most important 20th century Czech composers, and he deserves far greater recognition beyond the borders of his homeland. These classic performances, very cleanly remastered and sounding better than ever, show him at his best. Mystery of Time lives up to its title: it's a passacaglia that fascinatingly plays with rhythm and motion as the composer gradually builds up varying sonic layers until the music seems to move from slow to fast and back to slow, even though the underlying pulse hardly varies at all. The whole thing proceeds with a relaxed inevitability that betrays the hand of a master composer, and Karel Ancerl's performance has the transparency of texture and instrumental balance the music demands."

The following is an extract from the review which appeared on Musicweb:

"Miloslav Kabelac began composing in the 1930s and his formative experiences during the Nazi occupation and the Soviet regime included the suppression of his works with varying degrees of thoroughness. The Mystery of Time begins with the merest susurration. The effect is rather like the shadowed murmurings of Ives' Unanswered Question. From about 7.00 (and later at 14.53) the music takes on a stronger rhythmic interest sounding Sibelian (though the notes suggest Janáček) rising to brazen piercing brass protests. The chesty and hoarse brass writing at 10.12 hints at familiarity with Suk's Asrael. At the climax at 13.00 and 18.11 the fate motif from Beethoven 5 is alluded to. This is music riven with conflict yet fitfully heroic in character as at the magnificent writing for high pealing trumpets (19.06). A more serene tone is struck by the solo violin in the last few minutes of this impressive piece. The solo line yet manages to avoid undue sweetness. There is something toiling about that solo voice rather than utterly at peace.

Kabelac made time the subject of several of his pieces. Such elitist philosophical obsessions were anathema to the communist state - another reason why his music was officially stigmatised. The work was premiered by the same forces as here on 23 October 1957."

and a complete list of the major orchestral works(also from Musicweb):

Symphonies of Kabelac
Symphony No. 1 in D for strings and percussions, op.11 (1941 – 1942)
Symphony No. 2 in C for large orchestra, op. 15 (1942 – 1946)
Symphony No. 3 in F for organ, brasses and timpani, op. 33 (1948 – 1957)
Symphony No. 4 in A. "Chamber Symphony", op. 36 (1954 – 1958)
Symphony No. 5 in B flat minor, "Dramatic", for soprano without text, and orchestra, op. 41 (1960)
Symphony No. 6 "Concertante", for clarinet and orchestra, op. 44 (1961 – 1962)
Symphony No. 7 for orchestra and reciter on the composer s text after the Bible, op. 52 (1967 – 1968)
Symphony No. 8 "Antiphonies", for soprano, mixed choir, percussions and organ, on the words from the Bible, op. 54 (1970)


Further orchestral works of Kabelac
Overture No. 2 for large orchestra, op. 17 (1947)
Childish Moods. Little orchestral suite, op. 22 (1955)
Suite from the music to Sophokles Electra for alto, female choir and orchestra, op. 28a (1956)
Mystery of Time, Passacaglia for large orchestra, op. 31 (1953 – 1957)
Three Melodramas to accompany the play Kuo Mo-jo "Master of Nine Songs" for reciter and chamber orchestra, op. 34b (1957)
Hamlet Improvisation for large orchestra, op. 46 (1962 – 1963)
Reflections. Nine miniatures for orchestra, op. 49 (1963 – 1964)
Metamorphoses II, for piano and orchestra, op. 58 (1979)

Read more: http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2010/Feb10/Beethoven_up01232131.htm#ixzz1mdks2cPi

Read more: http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2003/Dec03/Kabalec_Hanus.htm#ixzz1mdk1qJjB

[starrynight]

That second review certainly name-drops enough composers (symphonic masters like Beethoven and Sibelius included).    Ultimately though it will have to stand on it's own individual identity.

Also, while it is interesting to read what some reviews say and I'm not disparaging that, I am probably more interested in what someone has to say themselves about it.

[vandermolen]

Thank you starrynight (is this name after the Van Gogh painting?) for your kind comment and Colin thank you for always going to such trouble to fill out our knowledge of fine composers like Kabelac.

The interesting thing about 'Mystery of Time' is that I had the Ancerl/Gold Edition Supraphon CD in my collection for some time (having previously liked his Symphony No 5) but I don't remember listening properly to it until your postings about it. Now, it is rarely off the CD player here!

[snyprrr]

8 Inventions, for 6 percussionists, Op.45 (1962)

Very evocative expressions from 1962! These pieces were written for Les Percussions de Strassbourg, and reflect that group's penchant for sublime textures. As good a piece of its kind as I've heard, originally paired with Ohana on LP.

[starrynight]

Thank you starrynight (is this name after the Van Gogh painting?)

It may have been an influence on the name, though I just like the sound of it anyway.  Also quite a lot of modern classical music has a cosmic theme too.  I'm male as well to answer J. Z. Herrenberg.   Really I think it's men who tend to be on music boards more anyway, it's a male thing to obsess over music.

But getting back to this piece.  One reason I'm reluctant to hail it as great is that I suspect he did something better anyway, even if it isn't as ambitious.

[Dundonnell]

Thank you starrynight (is this name after the Van Gogh painting?) for your kind comment and Colin thank you for always going to such trouble to fill out our knowledge of fine composers like Kabelac.

The interesting thing about 'Mystery of Time' is that I had the Ancerl/Gold Edition Supraphon CD in my collection for some time (having previously liked his Symphony No 5) but I don't remember listening properly to it until your postings about it. Now, it is rarely off the CD player here!

Regardless of whether or not it is a "great" piece (and I make no such claim ) the fact that my posting about 'Mystery of Time' has led you back to it, Jeffrey, is reward enough

[Lethevich]

@Luke: the piano works really are impressive, as individualistic as the orchestral music. I think I'm going to listen to these really often (and the disc is so well-filled: 79mins).



I hope it's reprinted soon, the current prices are rather uncool. The packaging can't seem to decide what the label is - Panton or Supraphon (perhaps the latter is a distributer, but even the graphic design looks like Supraphon).

After listening to the passacaglia again, I find myself prefering the 3rd symphony to it.

[pjme]

I remember vaguely that I've sung the praise of Kabelac before... propably in the "old" forum.
Anyway, I like quite a lot of his music.
The passion ànd sadness in his music movingly reflect those dark communist years.
Life must have been difficult for him !
I quote from the Supraphon cd ( symph. nr 4/ reflections etc) : "...(Kabelac) maintained friendly relations with Polish composers and liked to attend the Warsaw Autumn festival. At a time when useless debates were going on, on the official level in Czechoslavakia and elsewhere in eastern Europe, about socialist realism and western formalism. Warsaw had not lost contact with contemporary developments in European music. Kabelac was keenly looking for new paths, new possibilities and new stimuli which he then transformed and adapted in his very personal way...."

In Prague I found a short (ca 08'.50'')  cantata for chorus and orchestra "Milostna" ( Love song/ 1962 ) - it's Kabelac at his most lyrical and yearning, vaguely folksy, just gorgeous.

Metamorphoses II of the Chorale Hospodine pomiluj ny for piano and orchestra (opus 58) 
available on a Panton cd 81 1143-2 . (Metamorfoses I (opus 57) apparently is a choral version of Hospodine...)
The tune of the hymn is subject to variations in 6 short parts ( total timing ca 17') . A very strange, stark, ritualistic work . It's mostly slow and obsessive, quite repetitive and building towards a briefly jubilant peroration . Not pretty music, but ultimately haungtingly beautiful. I'll call it a prayer, or a litany.... Excellent performance by Frantisek Maxian and the Cezch Phil. under Neumann.
It is coupled with symph. nr 8 which is my least favorite Kabelac work : chorus, coloratura soprano, organ and percussion. It takes a superhuman coloratura to do this work justice I 'm afraid....
Yet, there's enough Kabelac to treasure. If only we could hear his music in the concerthall!
Peter

[vandermolen]

Regardless of whether or not it is a "great" piece (and I make no such claim ) the fact that my posting about 'Mystery of Time' has led you back to it, Jeffrey, is reward enough

[vandermolen]

Wife and daughter being out 'Mystery of Time' is on at top volume here again this morning (hope the neighbours enjoy it  ). The propulsive middle section reminded me of Honegger's 'Pacific 231'.

[Dundonnell]

 

[cilgwyn]

Sounds VERY intriguing,to put it mildly! Emil Hlobil's not bad,either,but again Supraphon,like their British 'counterparts',seem to favour earlier more immeadiately approchable stuff.

[starrynight]

8 Inventions, for 6 percussionists, Op.45 (1962)

Very evocative expressions from 1962! These pieces were written for Les Percussions de Strassbourg, and reflect that group's penchant for sublime textures. As good a piece of its kind as I've heard, originally paired with Ohana on LP.

I agree, it is interesting and unpredictable.  The kind of experimentalism that won't appeal to some I guess, but better than the symphonic style stuff I have heard.