Sinfonietta
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Sinfonietta (subtitled 'Military Sinfonietta' or 'Sokol Festival') is a late work for large orchestra by the Moravian/Czech composer Leoš Janáček. It is dedicated 'To the Czechoslovak Armed Forces' and Janáček said it was inteneded to express 'contemporary free man, his spiritual beauty and joy, his strength, courage and determination to fight for victory.' It was inspired by Janáček hearing a brass band, and being inspired to write some fanfares of his own. When the organisers of the Sokol Gymnastic Festival approached him for a commission, he developed the material into the Sinfonietta. He later dropped the 'Military' title. The first performance was in Prague on 26 June 1926 under Václav Talich, the same as his Glagolitic Mass. The piece is in five movements, all of which have descriptive subtitles:
- I. Allegretto (Fanfare)
- II. Andante (The Castle, Brno)
- III. Moderato (The Queen's Monastery, Brno)
- IV. Allegretto (The Street Leading to the Castle)
- V. Andante con moto (The Town Hall, Brno)
The work is typical of Janáček's tight construction, the material of each movement deriving from the opening motif. It features several variants based on Janáček's original fanfares, and is scored only for brass. The second movement begins with a rapid ostinato from the wind, but later has a more lyrical episode. The third begins quietly in the strings, but is interupted by a stern figure in the trombones, leading to another fast dance-like passage. In the fourth movement, Janáček celebrates the newly liberated Czechoslovakia with a joyous trumpet fanfare. The finale begins in the key of Eb minor with a calm retrograde version of the opening melody. However, this quickly moves into a triumphant finale, the return of the opening fanfare decorated with swirling figures in the strings and wind. An average performance lasts around 20 - 25 minutes.
[edit] Selected Recordings
- EMI 5-66980-2 Simon Rattle/Philharmonia Orchestra
- London 410138-2 Sir Charles Mackerras/Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
- Telarc CD-80174 Andre Previn/Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra
- Supraphon 110282-2 Frantisek Jilek/Brno State Philharmonic Orchestra
- Virgin VC791506-2 Libor Pesek/Philharmonia Orchestra
