Unsung Composers

The Music => Recordings & Broadcasts => Topic started by: Alan Howe on Wednesday 28 May 2014, 20:15

Title: Blodek Symphony in D minor
Post by: Alan Howe on Wednesday 28 May 2014, 20:15
To be broadcast on BBC Radio 3's Through the Night at around 2.20 (am), i.e. v. early, on Saturday 7th morning.
Title: Re: Blodek Symphony in D minor
Post by: terry martyn on Thursday 22 September 2022, 11:46
I have a feeling that this was recorded on Supraphon, long,long ago, but I can find no trace of the recording
Title: Re: Blodek Symphony in D minor
Post by: Ilja on Thursday 22 September 2022, 12:04
There was a Supraphon recording with the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ondrej Kukal. It's on Spotify here (https://open.spotify.com/album/3EIMJ4Skbdt2BPKzMTodmZ?si=Aeaq_TBZSyyEAMa7mtcEzA), More information about the work here (https://www.czech.radio/node/8034391).
Title: Re: Blodek Symphony in D minor
Post by: Alan Howe on Thursday 22 September 2022, 12:17
The work (dating from 1859?) can be heard here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eftrUSXY3nM

Pilsen Radio Orchestra/Bohumír Liška (conductor)

Review here:
https://number9reviews.blogspot.com/2020/04/music-review-vilem-blodek-symphony-in-d.html

More information here:
https://www.czech.radio/node/8034391

Title: Re: Blodek Symphony in D minor
Post by: terry martyn on Thursday 22 September 2022, 15:01
Thanks,Alan

A lyrical and slightly melancholic work, which sounds superior to Smetana's Festive Symphony. So, it appears that there has never been a commercial CD released, which is pretty surprising,in my view.
Title: Re: Blodek Symphony in D minor
Post by: Alan Howe on Thursday 22 September 2022, 17:00
Quote from: terry martyn on Thursday 22 September 2022, 15:01So, it appears that there has never been a commercial CD released, which is pretty surprising,in my view.

No, but there's a very cheap commercial download available from Amazon, under the title 'Vilém Blodek: Orchestral Works':
https://www.amazon.co.uk/music/player/albums/B078XSLTB3?ref=sr_1_4&s=dmusic&keywords=blodek&crid=2VHK7R3IPM32W&sprefix=blodek%2Cdigital-music%2C170&qid=1663862200&sr=1-4   (see tracks 9-12)

This link also tells us that the performers are the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ondřej Kukal:
https://music.apple.com/co/album/vil%C3%A9m-blodek-orchestral-works/1334047065?l=en

Title: Re: Blodek Symphony in D minor
Post by: Alan Howe on Thursday 22 September 2022, 18:03
...and, having downloaded it, I can thoroughly recommend this beautifully played and recorded performance.

It's an attractive piece. Much more convincing than Smetana's roughly contemporary and empty Festive Symphony! Quite heavy in places too, in good D minor fashion.
Title: Re: Blodek Symphony in D minor
Post by: Ilja on Thursday 22 September 2022, 22:00
If I remember correctly, the symphony wasn't performed after Blodek's death until 1966. It's a very attractive work, miles better than Smetana's symphony. The Kukal recording was made in 2012.
Title: Re: Blodek Symphony in D minor
Post by: Alan Howe on Thursday 22 September 2022, 22:25
Quote from: Ilja on Thursday 22 September 2022, 22:00The Kukal recording was made in 2012.

...as the Czech Radio link above confirms.
Title: Re: Blodek Symphony in D minor
Post by: Sharkkb8 on Thursday 22 September 2022, 23:34
Download also available here (https://music.apple.com/us/album/vil%C3%A9m-blodek-orchestral-works/1334047065) on Apple Music (previously iTunes) for their usual $10, or free with an Apple Music subscription ("free" in the sense that it's included with monthly sub $).  The album also contains an apparent orchestral suite, entitled "Music for the Shakespeare Celebrations".  Has anyone listened?

(https://ibb.co/dLFgMPb)

Title: Re: Blodek Symphony in D minor
Post by: Alan Howe on Thursday 22 September 2022, 23:43
QuoteDownload also available here on Apple Music

As I mentioned above. Does nobody read the previous posts? ;)
Title: Re: Blodek Symphony in D minor
Post by: Sharkkb8 on Friday 23 September 2022, 00:50
I sincerely apologize.
Title: Re: Blodek Symphony in D minor
Post by: JP on Friday 23 September 2022, 06:35
Will make a good coupling with the Moscheles symphony.
Title: Re: Blodek Symphony in D minor
Post by: Alan Howe on Friday 23 September 2022, 08:40
QuoteI sincerely apologize.

No need, I'm sure. It's sometimes good to have a repeat mention.
Title: Re: Blodek Symphony in D minor
Post by: razorback on Thursday 29 September 2022, 04:02
There also is a short Flute Concerto available on an old Koch-Schwann CD released in 1982 and still available at Amazon. 
https://www.amazon.com/Blodek-Demersseman-Furstenau-Doppler-Concertos/dp/B000006KL9

In addition, this same piece of music is on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAPLkAJAd5Q
Title: Re: Blodek Symphony in D minor
Post by: terry martyn on Thursday 29 September 2022, 08:28
Indeed so.  I have it,and it's an alluring piece,making me want to hear more of this composer