Concerto for Tuba and Strings, Op. 53 - František Domažlický / piano score
The composition of Concerto per tuba contrabasso ed archi, op. 53 that was written together with Duetto for two contrabass tubas in 1983 was incited by Václav Hoza, a tuba player, a member of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra at the time in question, and a pedagogue at the Prague conservatory. The type of invention of the piece as well as its development and the solo part structure betray an influence of Hindemith’s tuba sonata from 1955. Domažlický’s musical speech is characteristic for its distinctive use of chromatics within tonal music flow that is applied both in melody and harmony.
In the first two movements Domažlický exploits his sense for a continuous development of a melodic line leading to an accurately built-up melodic peak. The contrasting final movement is full of unrestrained syncopated rhythmical figures typical of Domažlický’s music. In spite of the ever increasing amount of European and – above all – American music for tuba, Domažlický’s concerto has become an integral part of Czech tuba repertoire. It belongs to the few Czech compositions for tuba that is both popular with music schools and frequently performed at instrumental competitions. Together with the full score of the work the author also created a piano version.
Other compositions by František Domažlický published in Czech Radio:
Concerto for Tuba and Strings
Concertino per cornamusa in es ed orchestra op. 76
Czech Songs for Three Female Voices, or Female or Children's Choir, and String Quartet, Op. 17
Scherzo for Tuba and PianoSonatina for Tuba and Piano
Sonata per trombone e pianoforte, Op. 58