Josef Suk - Symphony No. 1 in E major, Op. 14 (1898)/ Symphony No. 2 "Asrael" Op. 27

Josef Suk

(4 January 1874 – 29 May 1935) was a Czech composer and violinist.

He studied under Antonín Dvořák, whose daughter he married.

 Symphony No. 1 in E major, Op. 14 (1898)

BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by / Orquesta Sinfónica de la BBC dirigida por Jiri Belohlavek

I. Allegro, ma non troppo
II. Adagio
III. Allegro vivace
IV. Allegro

Josef Suk Symphony No. 1 is a work of great artistry that duly pays homage to his master Dvorak

and Germanic structures inherited from Brahms, yet it conserves a highly original spirit without recurring to overt nationalism as well.

Symphony No. 2  in C minor "Asrael" Op. 27  

1. Andante sostenuto
2. Andante
3. Vivace
4. Adagio
5. Adagio e maestoso

Suk began to compose his funeral symphony at the beginning of 1905, about eight months after Dvořák's death. The composition was titled after the Old Testament angel of death Asrael. The work is in five movements; the sketches of three movements were finished less than a half year later. on 6 July 1905, while Suk was in the middle of the work, his wife Otilie died] Although the composition was to be also a celebration of Dvořák's life and work, the desolated composer rejected the optimistic tone of the rest of the work. The complete score was finished on 4 October 1906. The work was dedicated "to the exalted memory of Dvořák and Otilie". Suk dedicated the last two movements to Otilie.

The symphony was premièred on 3 February 1907 at the Prague National Theatre, conducted by Karel Kovařovic. Karel Hoffmann and Jiří Herold, members of the Czech Quartet, attended the premiere as the concertmasters of the orchestra of the National Theatre.

1. Andante sostenuto
2. Andante 15:45
3. Vivace 23:30
4. Adagio 36:09
5. Adagio e maestoso 46:27

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

Jiří Bělohlávek, Conductor