Leoš Janáček
Suite
Short instrumentation: 4 3 3 3 - 4 3 3 1 - timp, perc(3), hp, cel, bass tpt, str
Duration: 20'
Bearbeitet von: Frantisek Jilek
Instrumentation details:
1st flute
2nd flute
3rd flute (+picc)
4th flute (+picc)
1st oboe
2nd oboe
cor anglais
1st clarinet in Bb
2nd clarinet in Bb (+cl(Eb))
3rd clarinet in Bb (+bass cl)
1st bassoon
2nd bassoon
3rd bassoon
1st horn in F
2nd horn in F
3rd horn in F
4th horn in F
1st trumpet in F
2nd trumpet in F
3rd trumpet in F
bass trumpet (+tenor tuba)
1st trombone
2nd trombone
3rd trombone
tuba
timpani
percussion(3)
harp
celesta
violin I(18)
violin II(16)
viola(14)
violoncello(12)
contrabass(10)
Janácek - Suite for orchestra
Sample pages
Audio preview
Work introduction
The Brno conductor František Jilek prepared the opera suite From the House of the Dead in the 1970s. The symphonic prelude to the opera forms the first of the suite’s three movements; a solemn mood predominates, reflecting the hard life of the convicts in Siberia. The second movement is based on the music to the impudent, humorous pantomimes, abounding in burlesque jollity, while the third movement builds on the released convict’s farewell music. Here, we find again the expressively stylised melodies to the words “Orel cár” (eagle czar) and “Svoboda, Svobodička” (Freedom, O Freedom), sung by the chorus of convicts in the opera and played here by the brass instruments, resounding with ceremonial jubilance.
Jaroslav Smolka