Happy birthday Josef Suk! Josef Suk (4 January 1874 – 29 May 1935) was a Czech composer and violinist. Suk was taught organ, violin, and piano by his father, also known by the name Josef Suk. Though he did not start composing until 1891, he was well-trained in music. He was trained further in violin by the Czech violinist Antonín Bennewitz and his theory studies were conducted with several others including composer Josef Bohuslav Foerster, Karel Knittl, and Karel Stecker. He later focused his writing on chamber works under the teachings of Hanuš Wihan. All of his training aside, his musical skill was said to be an inheritance. Though continuing his lessons with Wihan another year after his schooling was complete, one of Josef Suks largest inspirations was one of his teachers, Czech composer Antonín Dvořák. Because of their heritage and deaths coming in the same year, Suks works and style were compared closely to Czech composer Otakar Ostrčil. Known as one of Dvořáks favorite pupils, Suk and Dvořák became very close. This could pertain to Dvořáks respect for Suk, and the same respect for Suk can be recognized in the fact that Suk later married Dvořáks daughter, Otilie. This marked some of Suks happier times in his life and music? However, the last portion of Suks life was stricken with tragedy? Over the span of 14 months around 1905, not only did Suks mentor, Dvořák, die, but so did Otilie. These events inspired Suks Asrael Symphony. Suk retired in 1933, although he continued to be a very valuable and inspirational person to his Czech people. Let us listen to the Asrael Symphony No. 2 in C minor, played by the National Orchestra Of Belgium under the baton of Walter Weller. Source: Wikipedia
Posted on: Sun, 04 Jan 2015 03:00:27 +0000
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