V. Novák - Sonata Eroica, Op. 24 (Rauch)

0:00 - 1. Allegro patetico
12:01 - 2. Andante mesto - Allegro energico
Sonata Eroica has its unique place in Czech piano literature for being the only great romantic sonata (if one does not include Smetana's unconvincing early one). Novák has also sketched another piano sonata, which has however been left unfinished. Much like the Brigand sonatina it is burning with patriotism, the first movement should evoke the heroism of Juraj Jánošík, while the second, according to Novák's own words, is "suffering and conquering". The musical nature combines folk music elements of Slovácko (southeastern part of Moravia) and Slovakia, with the thematic material being roughly based on the Slovak folk song Okolo Hovoran .
The critical opinion on this sonata has historically been mixed: according to the pianist Ignaz Friedman the Swedish critics at the time proclaimed it the best piano piece of the last ten years. On the other hand, when Novák submitted it to a composition competition in 1901, the jury led by Dvořák has denied him the prize.
Composer - Vítězslav Novák (1870-1949)
Piano - František Rauch
Year of recording - 1977
Upload authorized by Supraphon, sheet music is public domain.
Czech piano music playlist - • J. A. Benda - Keyboard...

[@fulviopolce9785]

Apprezzabile composizione.Bel post.

[@SPscorevideos]

Novák is such an underrated composer! Are you planning to upload some more from him? Because I've uploaded his 1st String Quartet in January, I wanted to do the 2nd, and some other work (the orchestral works, mainly).

[@paeffill9428]

I will try to do his Serenade, though I don't think the score can be found on imslp. Sadly most of his works are yet to be scanned, some of them are barely edited.

[@SPscorevideos]

@@paeffill9428 On IMSLP there are both the Serenade for orchestra op.36 and the Serenades for piano op.9. ;)

[@paeffill9428]

@@SPscorevideos That's good to know! I will also try to do his Boure cantata as a full score!

[@belialah]

The thing with music is that it has gotten to a point where nothing surprises me.This is a new composer for me however it seems that I already know his music.

[@PaulSmith-qs1es]

I don't really understand the notation where there's a staccato note one the first note of those fast almost trilled triplets, but they aren't all staccato. I can't think what it's meant to sound like and it's certainly not represented in this recording.

[@NFStopsnuf]

With the non legato marking, the staccato notation serves as what are essentially accents. Of course, this is up to interpretation, but I’d assume this is the interpretation most pianists would use.

[@jamescombs8316]

Novak wrote a string quartet? I must hear this!

[@pohlpiano]

He even wrote lots of art songs! We are working on a recording project of them now. Many of these were not even ever recorded before, so sad.

[@Viktorvelat95]

He wrote two string quartets and a piano quintet, to be precise

[@lyricaltones]

@@Viktorvelat95 He wrote three string quartets but only No. 2 in D is well-known. It contains an exceptionally large and great lyrical fugue. He also wrote a piano quartet, a piano quintet and Trio in D minor "quasi una ballata", also a remarkable work.