KAREL HUSA: Smetana Fanfare; Al Fresco; Concertino for Piano and Winds; Music for Prague – Momoko Gresham, piano/Illinois State University Wind Symphony/ Stephen Steele – Albany TROY957, 53:27 ****:
Prague-born Karel Husa studied with Arthur Honegger, Nadia Boulanger, and conducting with Andre Cluytens. He has been a music pedagogue in many institutions both in Europe and the U.S., and still composes at age 86 to add to his sizeable output. He has contributed many fine works to the concert band/wind band repertory, and this disc brings us a sampling of them in thoroughly professional performances and excellent sonics, recorded in live performance at the University.
Prague-born Karel Husa studied with Arthur Honegger, Nadia Boulanger, and conducting with Andre Cluytens. He has been a music pedagogue in many institutions both in Europe and the U.S., and still composes at age 86 to add to his sizeable output. He has contributed many fine works to the concert band/wind band repertory, and this disc brings us a sampling of them in thoroughly professional performances and excellent sonics, recorded in live performance at the University.
Excerpts taken from Smetana’s symphonic poem Wallenstein’s Camp are used in the Smetana Fanfare. The Concertino for Piano of 1983 is a delightful three-movement work which pits the piano against the sonorities of the wind band. Music for Prague is one of Husa’s most popular works, honoring the thousand years of that historic city. It employs three main ideas: first is the same theme Smetana used in his Ma Vlast – a Hussite war song from the 15th century. Next is the sound of the bells of Prague. Last is a three-chord motif which begins softly and builds to a tremendous climax.
– John Sunier
