Rudolf Firkusny on Czech Music
The Music of Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia in History
A brief look at Czech composers as seen through the eyes of concert pianist Rudolf Firkusny.
The origins of Czech music can be be traced to the 9th century. Here are the opinions of famed concert pianist Rudolf Firkusny on the music of his homeland.
Early Czech Composers
The earliest composers who represented Bohemian music acquired their knowledge from study in foreign countries, most specifically in Italy. This training produced Bohuslav Czernohorsky (1684-1740), who became the teacher of Christoph Wilibald Gluck, Johann Wenzel Stamitz (originally Stamic), a founder of the Mannheim School and Antonin Reicha who settled in Paris where he became director of the Paris Conservatoire. Among his pupils may be counted Hector Berlioz, Charles Gounod and Cesar Franck.
Nationalistic Music
However, the composers who really brought Czech music to the forefront were Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884) and Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904). Their music came about as a result of newly-aroused nationalistic feelings and a return to the rich folklore of the country, which abounded in songs, ballads and dances. Dvorak also became deeply interested in Moravian folklore, which touched upon the cultures of Hungary and the Orient.
The chief interpreter of Czech piano music was the celebrated Rudolf Firkunsy (1912-1994 ), who championed many composers and often played programs with rich Czech content. One of his most regularly played compositions was the Dvorak Piano Concerto. Firkusny remarked about this work, "It is young Dvorak. He had not yet come to the peak of his powers, I ageee that it is a gorgeous work, but it is very long and difficult, and many of the younger pianists pass it by."
At the age of 5, Firkusny was sent to study with a flutist named Kolar in Brno. The next year found him studying with Leos Janacek, which was followed by lessons with Mme. Tuckeva, a harpist. Following that he took lessons with Vilem Kurz's wife Mme. Kurzova. A highly unorthodox training program for a budding concert pianist! Later private study with Artur Schnabel led him to Alfred Cortot, who pronounced, "My dear young man, you do not need a teacher...you need a public."
Czech Programs
Firkusny once remarked that "while there is no end to the dances and small pieces, one would have to go back to the sonatas of Dussek and Vorisek for a solid program foundation. Even Dvorak wrote only one suite for piano and there is a Sonata Eroica by Novak...but it is really of no importance."
However, Czech orchestral music is heard everywhere and the symphonies of Dvorak, the piano concertos of Martinu and Janacek's operas will live on.
For more information about classical musicians see:
Dramatic Soprano Gerda Nielsen,
Source:
From an interview with Rudolf Firkusny in Staatsburg, NY., 1973.
