1. X. 1905
Encyclopedia
1. X. 1905, also known as Piano Sonata 1.X.1905, is a two-movement
(originally three-movement) piano
composition which Leoš Janáček
composed in 1905. It is also known as From the Street.
during demonstrations calling for support for a Czech university in Brno
. In the work, Janáček expresses his disapproval with the violent death of the young carpenter. He started to compose it immediately after the incident occurred and finished its composition in January 1906. The première took place on 27 January 1906 in Brno (Friends of the Arts Club), with Ludmila Tučková at the piano. Janáček also wrote a third movement, a funeral march, which he cut out and burned shortly before the first public performance of the piece in 1906. He was not satisfied with the rest of the composition either and later tossed out the manuscript of the two remaining movements into the river Vltava
. He later commented with regret about his impulsive action: "And it floated along on the water that day, like white swans". The composition remained lost until 1924 (the year of Janáček’s seventieth birthday), when Tučková announced that she owned a copy. The renewed premiere took place on 23 November 1924 in Prague
, under the title 1. X. 1905. Janáček later accompanied the work with the following inscription:
The first authorized printed edition of the work was published in 1924 by the Hudební matice in Prague.
The Dutch composer Theo Verbey
made an orchestral version of 1.X.1905 which received its premiere on 9 May 2008 in Utrecht
, the Netherlands, with the Dutch Radio Filharmonisch Orkest conducted by Claus Peter Flor
.
in this sonata
are:
Movement (music)
A movement is a self-contained part of a musical composition or musical form. While individual or selected movements from a composition are sometimes performed separately, a performance of the complete work requires all the movements to be performed in succession...
(originally three-movement) piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
composition which Leoš Janáček
Leoš Janácek
Leoš Janáček was a Czech composer, musical theorist, folklorist, publicist and teacher. He was inspired by Moravian and all Slavic folk music to create an original, modern musical style. Until 1895 he devoted himself mainly to folkloristic research and his early musical output was influenced by...
composed in 1905. It is also known as From the Street.
Background
Janáček intended this composition to be a tribute to a worker named František Pavlík (1885–1905), who, on the date indicated by the title (1 October 1905), had been bayonetedBayonet
A bayonet is a knife, dagger, sword, or spike-shaped weapon designed to fit in, on, over or underneath the muzzle of a rifle, musket or similar weapon, effectively turning the gun into a spear...
during demonstrations calling for support for a Czech university in Brno
Brno
Brno by population and area is the second largest city in the Czech Republic, the largest Moravian city, and the historical capital city of the Margraviate of Moravia. Brno is the administrative centre of the South Moravian Region where it forms a separate district Brno-City District...
. In the work, Janáček expresses his disapproval with the violent death of the young carpenter. He started to compose it immediately after the incident occurred and finished its composition in January 1906. The première took place on 27 January 1906 in Brno (Friends of the Arts Club), with Ludmila Tučková at the piano. Janáček also wrote a third movement, a funeral march, which he cut out and burned shortly before the first public performance of the piece in 1906. He was not satisfied with the rest of the composition either and later tossed out the manuscript of the two remaining movements into the river Vltava
Vltava
The Vltava is the longest river in the Czech Republic, running north from its source in Šumava through Český Krumlov, České Budějovice, and Prague, merging with the Elbe at Mělník...
. He later commented with regret about his impulsive action: "And it floated along on the water that day, like white swans". The composition remained lost until 1924 (the year of Janáček’s seventieth birthday), when Tučková announced that she owned a copy. The renewed premiere took place on 23 November 1924 in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, under the title 1. X. 1905. Janáček later accompanied the work with the following inscription:
"The white marble of the steps of the Besední dům in Brno. The ordinary labourer František Pavlík falls, stained with blood. He came merely to champion higher learning and has been slain by cruel murderers."
The first authorized printed edition of the work was published in 1924 by the Hudební matice in Prague.
The Dutch composer Theo Verbey
Theo Verbey
-Biography:Theo Verbey first achieved recognition for his orchestral arrangement of Alban Berg's Piano Sonata, Op. 1, a piece he orchestrated in 1984 while still a student. He studied at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague where he graduated in 1986. His principle composition teachers were Peter...
made an orchestral version of 1.X.1905 which received its premiere on 9 May 2008 in Utrecht
Utrecht
Utrecht is a city in the Netherlands.The name may also refer to:* Utrecht , of which Utrecht is the capital* Utrecht , including the city of Utrecht* Bishopric of Utrecht* Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Utrecht...
, the Netherlands, with the Dutch Radio Filharmonisch Orkest conducted by Claus Peter Flor
Claus Peter Flor
Claus Peter Flor is a German conductor. He played the violin as a youth, and later was a conducting student with Rolf Reuter....
.
Structure
The two movementsMovement (music)
A movement is a self-contained part of a musical composition or musical form. While individual or selected movements from a composition are sometimes performed separately, a performance of the complete work requires all the movements to be performed in succession...
in this sonata
Sonata
Sonata , in music, literally means a piece played as opposed to a cantata , a piece sung. The term, being vague, naturally evolved through the history of music, designating a variety of forms prior to the Classical era...
are:
- Foreboding (Předtucha) – Con moto
- Death (Smrt) – Adagio
Recordings
- Leoš Janáček: Piano Works. SupraphonSupraphonSupraphon Music Publishing is a Czech record label, it is oriented mainly towards publishing classical music, with an emphasis on Czech and Slovak composers.- History :...
1972. SU 3812-2 (Josef PáleníčekJosef PálenícekJosef Páleníček was a Czech piano virtuoso and composer.- Biography :...
) - Leoš Janáček: Complete Piano Works. ArcoDiva. UP 0071-2132 (Jan JiraskýJan JiraskyJan Jiraský is a Czech pianist and pedagogue. He studied the piano playing at the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno with Alena Vlasáková....
) - Leoš Janáček: Piano Music Volume 1. Naxos (1996) N 8.553586 (Thomas Hlawatsch)
- Leoš Janáček: Sonata 1. X., In the Mist, On an Overgrown Path. Nonesuch (1983) 79041 ((Ivan Moravec))
External links
- Recording by Alon GoldsteinAlon GoldsteinAlon Goldstein is an Israeli classical pianist.-Biography:Alon Goldstein is one of the most original and sensitive artists of his generation, admired for his musical intelligence and dynamic personality. Alon’s artistic vision and innovative programming have made him a favorite with audiences and...
- 1. X. 1905 for orchestra at Universal EditionUniversal EditionUniversal Edition is a classical music publishing firm. Founded in 1901 in Vienna, and originally intended to provide the core classical works and educational works to the Austrian market...
, arranger: Theo VerbeyTheo Verbey-Biography:Theo Verbey first achieved recognition for his orchestral arrangement of Alban Berg's Piano Sonata, Op. 1, a piece he orchestrated in 1984 while still a student. He studied at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague where he graduated in 1986. His principle composition teachers were Peter...