Ballad of the Dead Cobbler and the Young Dancer, op. 6 - Otakar Ostrčil

1. prosinec 2008

Two out of the total number of six Concerto Melodrama proved their quality - The Czech Ballad from 1905 and The Ballad of the Dead Cobbler and the Young Dancer, op. 6 from 1904. In these works Ostrčil leaves the subject field of his mentor, who preferred dramatic and tragic themes, and sets off in a different direction.

He based the composition on a then recent poem by Karel Leger (1856 - 1934) who was known mainly as an author of realistic fiction. In the Ballad, however, Leger's text switches from the initial lyrical atmosphere to that of a bizarre horror with both erotic and humorous elements. Ostrčil's music makes use of characteristic motives and polka rhythm stylizations; loose tonality and compelling orchestral colours are employed by the author for dramatic purposes. The Ballad of the Dead Cobbler and the Young Dancer was premiered in Prague on 22nd January 1905. It was performed by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra led by Oskar Nedbal; the text was recited by Hana Benoniová.

Other compositions by Otakar Ostrčil published in Czech Radio:
Orphan Child, op. 9

instrumentation3fl - III muta fl picc, 2ob, cor ingl, 2cl, cl b, 2fg, 4cor, 3trb, 3tbn, tb b, timp, perc, arpa, archi, recdescriptionscorepubl.NoR 161price585,- CZK

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