Fibich

This complete set of symphonies by the quintessential Romantic Czech composer Zdeněk Fibich (1850 - 1900), performed by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra under Karel Šejna, is part of Supraphon's golden treasure. Fibich's highly emotional music filled with inner suspense is certain to enthrall the audience by the very convincingness of its message. The symphonies are coupled here with the idyllic image, At Twilight, and the cantata to the words of Jaroslav Vrchlický, Springtime Romance. This album adds new contours to the portrait of a composer whom most listeners have known solely as the creator of the celebrated Poem.

Like Smetana’s two quartets and his Piano Trio, strongly programmatic elements underpin both these chamber works, though Fibich cuts a far less original musical mind. Still, the Quintet, which matches piano, wind and strings in a beautifully transparent texture, is blessed with a lyrical melodious opening movement and a charming Scherzo. It receives a sympathetic performance from this excellent ensemble.

Šárka, opus 51, is an opera in three acts by Zdeněk Fibich to a Czech libretto by Anežka Schulzová, his student and lover. Fibich composed the full score over the period of 8 September 1896 to 10 March 1897.

Although Zdenek Fibich (1850-1900) was only 49 when he died he produced an enormous quantity of music including symphonies, symphonic poems, chamber music, liturgical music and piano pieces. His most significant works, however, were his operas, in particular "Sarka" and "The Bride of Messina".

The Smetana Trio continued its survey of Czech piano trios with this 2007 Supraphon disc coupling works by Antonin Dvorák, Bohuslav Martinu, and Zdenêk Fibich. As with the earlier discs in this series, the Smetana performs with equal measures of independence and interdependence. Each player has his/her own approach to the music and to the instruments. Violinist Jana Vonáskova-Nováková and cellist Jan Pálenícek don't always agree on the size of their vibratos, for example, and pianist Jitka Cechová doesn't always agree with string players on the inflection of rhythmic accents.

The Moods, Impressions & Reminiscences of Zdenek Fibich have gone and his art has evaporated. While some listeners might argue that Fibich's symphonic works are his more ambitious and more substantial works, others would insist that they are merely longer and louder works.

Zdenek Fibich’s three symphonies project very different qualities: No. 1 (available on 8.572985) prizes structural integration, and No. 2 (8.573157) cyclical unity. Symphony No. 3, written only two years before his untimely death, but at the zenith of his powers as one of the Czech Lands’ leading composers, reveals Fibich’s sustained melodic and atmospheric powers as the music pursues the ‘darkness to light’ trajectory synonymous with the symphony during the 19th century. The remaining pieces, drawn from his best stage works, showcase operatic qualities that extend the dramatic lineage of Smetana. This is the final volume in this series.

With a little delay following the issue of a complete set of violin works, Supraphon is now coming with the sequel to that title in the "hommage ? Zdeněk Fibich" (1850 - 1900) series, presenting a new recording of the complete quartet output ofthis Czech neo-Romantic composer who has so far failed to get all the interest he would rightfully deserve.