Experiences and dreams

Životem a snem (in German: Erlebtes und Erträumtes) is probably Josef Suk's most important piano cycle. The ten pieces were composed in the spring of 1909 in an astonishingly short time. At the time, Suk was touring throughout Europe as second violinist of the Bohemian Quartet and only had time to compose during breaks in his tours.

A few years earlier, Suk had had to cope with the unexpected death of his father-in-law Antonín Dvořák and, shortly afterwards, especially that of his young wife Otilie. These emotional upheavals can be heard in some of the more sombre and contemplative passages of this opus 30, particularly impressively and movingly in number 10 with the title: Den vergessenen Grabhügeln auf unserem Dorffriedhoffe. In general, however, a colorful world of sounds and characters of often dance-like, sometimes even spooky charm prevails. And while the influence of Dvořák was unmistakable in earlier works, Suk seems to have found his very own harmonic language here.

The individual movements are not only provided with tempo indications, but also with additional playing instructions that clarify the specific character. Especially in number 2 (restless, shy, not too expressive) or number 4 (absorbed, later with gradually increased energy), these indications are very informative for the performer.

Suk obviously also had a talent for the piano: his piano music - rarely virtuoso - is very comfortable in the hands and makes the instrument sound wonderful.

Jarmila Gabrielová has Životem a snem newly published by Bärenreiter and provided with a preface which contains many interesting facts about the history of the composition and cross-references to other works by this underestimated composer.

Josef Suk, Erlebtes und Erträumtes op. 30 for piano, Urtext edited by Jarmila Gabrielová
BA 9561, € 17.95, Bärenreiter, Prague 2015