Slavko Osterc [1895-1941]

Started by Scion7, September 05, 2016, 11:40:05 AM

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Scion7

The "other" major Slovenian composer, along with Skerjanc.
Born in Verzej, died in Ljublana.
Attended Praque University (1925-27) and studied with Novák, Jirák and Hába.

from The New Grove:

. . . (established) himself as a leader of Slovenian musical life: he founded a school of composer-disciples, campaigned for a progressive attitude among Yugoslav musicians and was particularly active in the ISCM. After some works in a late Romantic style, he adopted new techniques, from atonality to athematicism and from 12-note writing to quarter-tone music. Within his wide stylistic range there are characteristic tendencies towards Expressionism and neo-Baroque polyphony. He took as his models the music of Stravinsky and Hindemith. The expression of humour, irony and satire in his music, on the other hand, constitutes a personal trait.


Orchestral
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Symphony Ideali [Ideals], 1922;
Suite, 1929;
Concerto for Orchestra, 1932;
Ouverture classique, 1932;
Concertino Piano, winds, 1933;
Passacaglia and Chorale, 1934;
Danses, 1935;
Mouvements symphoniques, 1936;
4 pièces symphoniques, 1938–9;
Mati [Mother], symphonic poem, 1940

Chamber
=======================

String Quartet no.1, 1927;
4 Karikature [Caricatures], pic, clarinet, bassoon, 1927;
Concerto, Violin, 7 insts, 1928;
Silhuete [Silhouettes],
String Quartet, 1928;
Concertino Piano quartet, 1929;
Sonatina, 2 clarinet, 1929;
Suite, Violin, Piano, 1932;
Wind Quintet, 1932;
String Quartet no.2, 1934;
Sonata, sax, Piano, 1935;
Nonet, 1937;
Sonata, Cello, Piano, 1941

Piano music
===========================================

Arabesques, 1934;
Toccata, 1934;
Aphorisms, 1935;
4 miniatures, 1938;
3 esquisses, 1939;
Fantaisie chromatique, 1940;
6 petits morceaux, 1940;
Petites variations, 1940

Ballets
============================================

Iz Satanovega dneViolinika [From Satan's Diary] (3, Osterc), 1924;
Maska rdeče smrti [The Masque of the Red Death] (ballet pantomime, 1, after E.A. Poe), 1930;
Illuzijez (ballet pantomime, 3, 8 scenes, Osterc), 1933–41

Opera
=========================================

Krst pri Savici [Baptism at Savica] (musical drama), 1921, radio broadcast, 3 Jan 1961;
Krog s kredo [The Chalk Circle] , 1928–9, unperf.;
Saloma [Salome] (minute op-parody, 1, Osterc), 1930;
Medea (1, Osterc, after Euripides), 1930, Ljubljana, 27 Feb 1932;
Dandin v vicah [Dandin in Purgatory] (grotesque op, 1, Osterc, after Molière and H. Sachs), 1930, Ljubljana, 27 Feb 1932

Vocal
=========================================

Usta so mi bila nema [My Lips were Silent], 1v, Piano, 1924; Belokranjske uspavanke [Bela Krajina Lullabies], 1v, Piano, 1925; Sonce v zavesah [Sun in the Curtains], 1925; 8 Chaplinovih anekdot [Chaplin Anecdotes], 1v, 11 insts, 1927; Requiem, B, 15 insts, 1928; Ave Maria, S, A, 3 wind, 1929; 4 Gradnik Poems, A, String Quartet, 1929; Magnificat, chorus, Piano 4 hands, 1934; other choral works

- - As usual, very little of this music has been commercially recorded.  :blank:
When, a few months before his death, Rachmaninov lamented that he no longer had the "strength and fire" to compose, friends reminded him of the Symphonic Dances, so charged with fire and strength. "Yes," he admitted. "I don't know how that happened. That was probably my last flicker."

Scion7

Still digging around the web to find a way to order this:



Orchestral Music

Classical Overture
Suite (1929)
Three Dances
Symphonic Movement
Four Symphonic Pieces

Slovenian Radio and TV SO/Samo Hubad
Rec 1990s, Slovenia, DDD SAZAS DD 0259


When, a few months before his death, Rachmaninov lamented that he no longer had the "strength and fire" to compose, friends reminded him of the Symphonic Dances, so charged with fire and strength. "Yes," he admitted. "I don't know how that happened. That was probably my last flicker."

Scion7

When, a few months before his death, Rachmaninov lamented that he no longer had the "strength and fire" to compose, friends reminded him of the Symphonic Dances, so charged with fire and strength. "Yes," he admitted. "I don't know how that happened. That was probably my last flicker."