Scherzi pastorali for Clarinet (or Bass Clarinet) and Piano - Jan Novák
Scherzi pastorali originated in 1953 as a five movement composition for Bb clarinet and piano, dedicated to Bohumil Opat, principal clarinetist of the Brno State Philharmonic.
In 1956 Novák dedicated the first three movements to the bass clarinetist Josef Horák, who performed them together with the pianist Emma Kovarnova in numerous concerts and bass clarinet seminars as "Due Boemi".
These early pieces of Jan Novák display his characteristic musical playfulnes and humour. The timbre of both the clarinet and the bass clarinet are effectively exhibited, colouring the pastoral character of the pieces. Ispired partly by folk tunes and jazz-like syncopated rhythms, the Scherzi reveal the composer´s capacity to armour himself with musical humour in difficult times.
The original Novák's manuscript is considered lost. This edition thus presents a meticulous reconstruction of the first three movements based on the manuscript copy presumably made by Josef Horák, as well as the first recorded interpretation of these pieces by the clarinetist Bohumil Opat with the pianist Olga Petrová from 1969 (Czech Radio Brno).
The copy of the manuscript resides in the Czech Museum of Music in Prague. The critical revision of this edition was supervised by the composer´s daughter, the pianist Dora Novak-Wilmington, in collaboration with the clarinet/bass clarinet player Lars Zolling.
Other compositions by Jan Novák published in Czech Radio:
Aeolia for two Flutes and Piano
Capriccio for Violoncello and Orchestra
Capriccio for Violoncello and Orchestra - Piano score
Dido / piano score
Due preludi e fughe per flauto solo
Elegantiae tripudiorum
Elegantiae tripudiorum for Piano
IV Hymni christiani (for Piano and Vocal part ad libitum)
Choreae vernales for Flute and Piano
Choreae vernales for Flute and Guitar
Choreae vernales for Flute, String Orchestra and Harp with Celesta or Piano
Odarum concentus choro fidium
Panisci fistula
Prima sonata for Piano
Rotundelli for Violoncello and Piano
Sonata brevis for Harpsichord
Sonata tribus for Flute, Violin and Piano
Sonatina for Flute and Piano
Strepitus festivi for Four French Horns
Tibia fugitiva for Flute solo
Toccata chromatica for Piano
Variations on the Theme by Bohuslav Martinů for two Pianos