Posts by harbin

  • Jan Smolka

    I would suggest you to buy and read a book Jan Dismas Zelenka by Jaroslav Smolka. Namely the first chapter deals with this subject in detail. For this you need to learn czech...a very difficult task indeed...(only joking!).
    The fact that Zelenka might have been a homosexual is a pure speculation made by Wolfgang Reich in his "Zwei Zelenka Studien - Ein Ungeliebter Componist?" (1987) through deciphering Zelenka's first three triosonatas. Smolka himself is rather sceptical to this claim. What we know for certain is that our composer was christened Jan Lukáš (Lucas) Zelenka. Then after nearly 30 years he emerged as Jan Dismas Zelenka. For those who do not know: Dismas was one of the two thieves crucified together with Jesus. Dismas was the one willing for salvation. Smolka thinks that something must have happened in the Zelenka's youth...for his ever strong feeling of guilt and submissiveness.
    30 years of total obscurity...he might have been imprisoned in his youth. But this is all just a speculation.

  • Serenata ZWV 177 to be recorded

    Hello,


    I got my copy of "Il Diamante" few days ago and this is my first reflection... Surprisingly this is a 2CD set totaling some 97 minutes. Sleeve cover and booklet is perfect, although slightly too dark for me. But when you turn the music on it is a typical Zelenka, very bold and innovative. Adam Viktora's Ensemble Inegal and singers are high class...recording is crisp and clean... I could not find a weak spot so far (mind you I've only listened to it twice... it is quite long and you need some peace to listen to it carefully) It is a last major secular work of Zelenka and you can tell the difference from Il penitenti al Sepolcro written at about the same time.
    By the way singers are Marie Fajtová, Hana Blažíková, Roberta Mameli, Gabriela Eibenová and Kai Wessel. Considering the quality of music one needs to ask why it has been unrecorded until now. Big thanks to Nibiru. Those who haven't ordered it yet might as well do so...you won't be disappointed.


    Pavel

  • Tell us your favourite Zelenka tracks

    For me it is the Aria - Da vivo tronco aperto from I Penitenti sung by Magdaléna Kožená. Always sends shivers down my spine. And the very next to follow would be Christe eleison Missa sanctissimae trinitatis also sung by Magdalena.

  • Fanfare in D Major

    Hello,


    I have this short piece on a CD together with Biber and Locke (Il Giardino Armonico Antonini Teldec 1998). It doesn't seem to have any ZWW number and is not listed here either. Does anybody know? Is this a real work by Zelenka or a fake?

  • Missa Votiva live TV stream

    Hello Johannes,


    I was lucky to watch these concerts (the other two compositions by J.S.Bach were also excellent). What Vaclav Luks mentions is that his Collegium 1704 actually commemorates year 1704 as the actual Zelenka entrance to the European scene. According to what he says Zelenka is a real superstar of a late baroque era. He also mentions that many still undiscovered works are waiting in Dresden Archive. He is indeed a Zelenka devotee. With his enthusiasm we may expect I hope some new and exciting recordings in the future.

  • Missa Purificationis on CD. Here it is !

    I have it and it's a gem. Quite incredible when you think that it was composed in 10 days! It already bears some style typical for the works to follow and yet it is so different and original.
    Big applause for Nibiru. Wish there were more little labels like this that can get into premiere recordings with such enthusiasm.

  • Concentus Moraviae

    I am pleased to report two Zelenka cocerts within Concentus Moraviae - International Music Festival of 13 towns in Southern Moravia, Czech Republic.
    First one will be held in Tišnov on 22nd July. Program: Responsoria sung by Czech Boys Choir - Boni Pueri along with works by B.M.Černohorský another excellent bohemian baroque composer.
    Second concert will take place in Valtice on 25th July and will feature three
    Zelenka pieces: Symphonia (ouverture) from Sub Olea Pacis, Laudate pueri in D-major ZWV 81, Confitebor tibi Domine in C-minor ZWV 71 along with works of F.X.Brixi and C.P.E.Bach. Performed by Visegrad Baroque Orchestra and Ars Brunensis Choir conducted by Marek Štryncl it is promising to be a treat. I have seen them two years ago doing Magnificats by J.S.Bach and J.C.Bach and it was
    quite unforgettable. These concerts are also good owing to the unique churchy atmosphere.
    Further Information:
    http://www.concentus-moraviae.….php?lmut=en&part=program

  • A new Zelenka book in Czech

    Well, I understand, the navigation can be difficult. The procedure is much the same as you are used to. You need to register and choose the way of shipping and a type of payment. I am pretty sure that they send books to any destination. The shipping rates are calculated when the order is completed and you will be notified. It might be easier to contact them first on: info@kosmas.cz
    Hopefuly someone speaks english there...good luck.

  • A new Zelenka book in Czech

    At long last we have a first czech monograph on Zelenka. A title J.D.Zelenka by Jaroslav Smolka was published in December 2006 and it had been long awaited. Professor Smolka is a well known czech authority on Zelenka. Being a musicologist and a composer he submits a detailed analysis of most Zelenka compositions but he also provides all the known facts about Zelenka's life. The book attempts to offer a different "czech" view of our composer and although I cannot directly compare it with Janice Stockigt book I think it succeeds. It is richly illustrated with some previously unpublished manuscripts as well. There is a three pages summary in English (rather poor) for the non-native speaking readers. For the bargain price around 10 Euro... the book can be anyone's collector's item.
    It can be ordered at:


    http://www.kosmas.cz/knihy/133061/jan-dismas-zelenka/


    Pavel

  • Missa Votiva - Rademann recording

    Hello Johannes,


    Thanks for the info. I've just been at a concert of Collegium 1704 in Brno.
    In fact it was just a torso (two members and two guests from Germany)
    performing Zelenka's 3rd Trio Sonata. Its chief director Václav Luks is a Zelenka devotee and indeed they will be performing Missa Votiva in Prague during the
    festival Prague's Spring.
    By the way "natáčení" in this sense of word means a "recording" of a music rather than a filming.