Sonates pour violoncelle clarinette violon et piano

Description

The three chamber compositions published by the Czech label Supraphon illustrate the neo-classicism of Viktor Kalabis's mature years, a Czech composer who, as a keen observer of the rational techniques of musical writing of his time, carved out his own path. An enthusiastic admirer of Bohuslav Martinu—he presides over the Foundation and establishes the Institute dedicated to him—this symphonist at heart combines (stripped-down) structure and writing logic with expressive vigor, both lyrical and melodic. The Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 29, written in the second half of 1968, evokes the dramatic character of the events of the time: the hopes for freedom inspired by the Prague Spring are cruelly halted by the military intervention of the Warsaw Pact countries on August 21. Born a year later, as the occupation took hold, the Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 30, grave, painful, anxious, manifests Kalabis's need "to rise against and express his opposition." Later (1982), the Sonata for Violin and Piano, Op. 58, balances passion and meditation, energy and light. A good introduction to one of the great Czech composers. (Bernard Vincken)