Leos Janacek - Symfonietta, Taras Bulba

Leos Janacek: Symfonietta, Taras Bulba by Czech Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Karel Ancerl. The Sinfonietta (subtitled 'Military Sinfonietta' or 'Sokol Festival') is a very expressive and festive, late work for large orchestra (of which 25 brass players) by the Moravian/Czech composer Leoš Janacek. It is dedicated 'To the Czechoslovak Armed Forces' and Janacek said it was intended to express 'contemporary free man, his spiritual beauty and joy, his strength, courage and determination to fight for victory.' It started by Janáček listening to a brass band, becoming 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 word 'military'. The first performance was in Prague on 26 June 1926 under Vaclav Talich.

 
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