Miloslav Kabelac(1908-79)

[Rinaldo]

I hope the wait was worth it:

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[vandermolen]

I hope the wait was worth it:

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How very interesting! Thank you for making us aware of this. I have symphonies 4,5 and 8 and No.5 made a great impression on me. 'Mystery of Time' is one of my all time favourite works and I'm sorry that they couldn't find room for it as an addition to the set:
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[vandermolen]

Just listened to Symphony 4 on You Tube. It is a very powerful and brooding poker-faced score with echoes of 'Mystery of Time' which is a magnificent score. I think that this set will be on my Christmas list. 

[vandermolen]

I'm greatly enjoying working my way through the boxed set (above) of Kabelac's symphonies. I'd never heard 1 or 2 before. They are both IMHO excellent - very dark and sombre war-time works. During the occupation of World War 2 Kabelac refused to divorce his Jewish wife and lost all his teaching posts and any chance of performances of his work. Obviously a man of great integrity. The music has 'nothing of the circus' about it. In a way the spirit of the music reminded me of Karl Amadeus Hartmann (another figure of great integrity) but slightly more approachably tonal from my point of view.

[cilgwyn]

You lucky man! I listened to a download of his fourth symphony recently. I was very impressed. It made me wonder why we don't hear more of Kabelac?! His music is so different from that of Martinu. He seems to remain in his shadow. I wasn't so keen on the Fifth. It certainly is a virtuouso piece and very original. I'm not too mad on soloists warbling along with orchestras,that's all! The Fourth is really quite striking,though. And so is the Fifth. Just not my cup of tea,as they say! Judging by all the uploaded files at the Art Music Forum,there are quite allot of neglected Czech (USSR era) composers,though!!

[cilgwyn]

Which of Kabelac's symphonies do you like best after No's 4 & 5,vandermolen?

[Karl Henning]

Thanks, gents, for the reminder (I think ) I've now gone ahead an pulled the trigger on the Supraphon set.

[...] His music is so different from that of Martinu.

Now, why should you find that surprising?   0:)

[cilgwyn]

This review describes his music as "mind-blowingly original". I'm sure I'd enjoy the Fifth allot more if I had that box set!!

http://www.theartsdesk.com/classical-music/classical-cds-weekly-kabel%C3%A1%C4%8D-ligeti-shostakovich

[pjme]

Supraphon LP's were cheap way back in 1980 and music by unknown, Czech contemporary composers very often, ended up in the sales bin at even lower prices. So I often bought even without listening... 
The fact that Karel Ancerl was often the conductor in Kabelac's works made me all ears, however... dark, somber, often tense music, with a tender, very human soul at its core. Life was not easy in Czechoslovakia during Kabelac lifetime....

A few of my favorites . I've sung their praises before...



https://www.youtube.com/v/D795vwD4ERI

https://www.youtube.com/v/1a0lmH3lW8c

https://www.youtube.com/v/UgeYpx-azF0

https://www.youtube.com/v/oOze35rWRFo

I do not have the new Supraphon box yet. I look forward to discover symphonies 1,2,6 and 7. For the moment I find nr 8 the least pleasing to my ears.

[cilgwyn]

Thank you for those links. Perhaps Kabelac's time has come,now?! The box set would be great for a birthday or Xmas. If the current regime (here) changes,I might buy it,anyway?!!

[pjme]

"Perhaps Kabelac's time has come,now?! "

I strongly doubt it. The "8 inventions for percussion" / of early Percussions de Strasbourg fame,  was, afaik, the only work that got (has) some notoriety. It is played by several groups now and was used as music for a ballet.
The rest...?
His music has never been played at The Proms (https://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/events/composers/by/a-z#K) for example. And I see no really big names (musicians, orchestras, ensembles...) who program him outside the Czech Republic...

But that new box will help!

[vandermolen]

Which of Kabelac's symphonies do you like best after No's 4 & 5,vandermolen?

Haven't listened to them all yet but think very highly of 1,2 and 5. Sorry that the box doesn't include 'Mystery of Time' - an absolutely terrific work IMHO. So, watch this space - may listen to some more tonight.

[relm1]

Haven't listened to them all yet but think very highly of 1,2 and 5. Sorry that the box doesn't include 'Mystery of Time' - an absolutely terrific work IMHO. So, watch this space - may listen to some more tonight.

I agree with your endorsement of "Mystery of Time", a very powerful and finely crafted work.

[vandermolen]

I agree with your endorsement of "Mystery of Time", a very powerful and finely crafted work.

Modernism with a soul I think.

[Karl Henning]

Modernism with a soul I think.

There's more of this around than might be supposed 

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[Robert101]

Was captivated by Mystery of Time which I recently youtube 'd it following this thread. I've heard the 4th and 8th as well. Based on what I've read, I'd like to hear the 5th as well. The three works seem so dissimilar...I can live without the 8th (boy can I do without it!)which didn't do it for me. But the Mystery of Time  kept me riveted, in spite of the predictable trajectory. A great controlled yet intense use of orchestra! Other Kabelac symphonies I should hear?

[Karl Henning]

...I can live without the 8th (boy can I do without it!) which didn't do it for me.

What didn't you like in the piece?  (I've not heard any of the symphonies, so I am really just asking.)

[vandermolen]

Was captivated by Mystery of Time which I recently youtube 'd it following this thread. I've heard the 4th and 8th as well. Based on what I've read, I'd like to hear the 5th as well. The three works seem so dissimilar...I can live without the 8th (boy can I do without it!)which didn't do it for me. But the Mystery of Time  kept me riveted, in spite of the predictable trajectory. A great controlled yet intense use of orchestra! Other Kabelac symphonies I should hear?

Glad you liked MOT. No.5 is excellent IMHO - for orchestra with wordless soprano. I've only heard I and 2 from the boxed set and thought they were both great and kept me gripped throughout. I've been a bit sidetracked by Steinberg's 4th Symphony and Ben-Haim's No.2 (both excellent) but may listen to Nos 3 and 4 later today and hope to report back in due course.

[Robert101]

What didn't you like in the piece?  (I've not heard any of the symphonies, so I am really just asking.)

It had three elements I don't care for in symphonies: Lots of (strange) vocals, loads of organ and overuse (IMHO) of percussion. It just didn't sound like his other works.

[Karl Henning]

It had three elements I don't care for in symphonies: Lots of (strange) vocals, loads of organ and overuse (IMHO) of percussion. It just didn't sound like his other works.

Thanks for the color.  I may just go for it (in addition to his other works).