This fourth volume in the first complete recording of the orchestral works of Zdenk Fibich features shorter orchestral works and occasional pieces for theatre projects. They include the evocative overture A Night at Karltejn Castle, the Mendelssohnian overture to the incidental music for The Jew of Prague, as well as the witty and elegant ballet music from the opera Hedy. Specially prepared from original sources for this recording by Marek tilec, the four Tableaux vivants (staged pictures) reflect a 19th-century Central European fashion for staged pieces, including fanfares, majestic ceremony and regal splendour, not intended to outlive their immediate purpose.
E**H
First recordings of works by Fibich
The first reason to buy this is that it features the premiere recordings of six orchestral works composed by Fibich. Only one of them - The Jew of Prague Overture - however, did sound particularly good to me. Among the previously recorded works I would mention the Overtures A Night at Karlstejn Castle and Comenius-Festival
R**1
Delighful overtures
Zdenek Fibich was almost an exact contemporary of Antonin Dovrak. And like his fellow Czech, Fibish's music in infused with the energy of his country's folk music. Volume Four of Naxos' ongoing traversal of Fibich's orchestral music is perhaps the most exciting installment so far.The disc collects several of Fibich's overtures, as well as the ballet music to hone of his opera, "Hedy.". The scores are from Fibich operas, and all are real curtain-raisers. If you're not familiar with Fibich, these works share the same freshness and energy of Dvorak's concert overtures.The opera "Hedy" (based on Byron's Don Juan) is filled with exciting ballet sequences, and the 17-minute concert suite Fibich created from it is a high point of the release. While perhaps not quite on par with Tchaikovsky, Fibich nevertheless manages to create charming dances that practically command the listener's body to respond in some way -- if not by dancing around the room, then at least by tapping one's foot (as I did quite frequently).Marek Stilec and the Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubic play these works with the deep understanding only a native ensemble can bring to Czech repertoire. The pace is quick, the fortes joyfully loud, and the ensemble is fully committed to make these works come alive -- which they do.
A**T
Four Stars
Great collection of little-known Fibich works.
M**E
Why the composer is not better known amazes me
I have been buying these Naxos Fibich issues as they have come out. Previously I had only known of the composer via a couple of his symphonies, originally on a very old Supraphon LP. Naxos is introducing us to a far wider range of his works and the quality is greatly to be admired. Why the composer is not better known amazes me.
G**R
Far better recordings of Fibich were recorded for Suipraphon by Karel ...
Far better recordings of Fibich were recorded for Suipraphon by Karel Sena. I bought this disc for the small amoint of music not previously available on disc. The recording is quiote good but the perfromances tend to plod along.
M**D
Four Stars
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