Search - Zdenek Fibich, Josef Hala :: Fibich: Works For Violin And Piano

Zdenék Fibich (1850-1900) is the forgotten Czech romantic, perhaps because he wasn't as nationalistic as Smetana and Dvorák. But for sheer beauty, his music rivals theirs. This disc is a good introduction, although it's only 51:19, leaving plenty of room for another piece like Fibich's beautiful Trio. (These performers are two-thirds of the Suk Trio! Where's that slacker cellist?) Still, what's here is thoroughly lovely. Fibich's Sonatina is light and brief; his Violin Sonata is more substantial, and its themes more memorable. Perhaps the most attractive piece, though, is a Concert Polonaise, a rousing piece that sounds like very good Dvorák to our ears, although Fibich came first. It's good to hear Suk at 71, in a sparkling 2000 recording, playing so well. The music may not be very virtuosic, but he has complete command of all of it and in the "Song Without Words" he gives a convincing illusion of playing two violins at once. Hála, a longtime partner of Suk, plays assertively when the music gives him the opportunity and accompanies sensitively throughout. The program notes make confusing reference to another Fibich Violin Sonata, which isn't here and apparently doesn't exist, but they are otherwise admirably informative. --Leslie Gerber