Bohuslav Martinů - Nonet; Quartets (Czech Nonet; Pražák Quartet)

Information

Composer: Bohuslav Martinů

• String Quartet No. 7 "Concerto da camera", H. 314
• Quartet for clarinet, horn, cello & side-drum, H. 139
• Quartet for oboe, violin, cello & piano, H. 315
• Mazurka-Nocturne for oboe, 2 violins & cello, H. 325
• Nonet for wind quintet, string trio & double bass, H. 374

Pražák Quartet

    Václav Remeš, violin

    Vlastimil Holek, violin

    Josef Klusoň, viola

    Michal Kaňka, cello

Czech Nonet

    Jiří Skuhra, flute

    Jiří Krejčí, oboe

    Aleš Hustoles, clarinet

    Pavel Langpaul, bassoon

    Vladimíra Klánská, horn

    Jana Herajnová, violin

    Jan Nykrýn, viola

    Vladan Kočí, cello

    Michal Rychlý, double bass

Date: 1996

Label: Praga

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Bohuslav Martinů (December 8, 1890 – August 28, 1959) was a Czech composer of modern classical music. He was a violinist in the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, and briefly studied under Czech composer and violinist Josef Suk. Martinů was a prolific composer who wrote almost 400 pieces. Many of his works are regularly performed or recorded, among them his oratorio The Epic of Gilgamesh, his six symphonies, concertos, chamber music, a flute sonata, a clarinet sonatina and many others. Martinů's notable students include Alan Hovhaness, Vítězslava Kaprálová, Jan Novák and many others.

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The Czech Nonet was founded in 1924 by a group of students of the Prague Conservatory. Based on the instrumentation of Louis Spohr's Nonet, it gained early recognition for both classical interpretations and promotion of modern compositions, inspiring over 300 works by composers like Prokofiev and Martinů. Its wide-ranging repertoire spans from the Baroque to the 20th century. The ensemble has performed at major festivals and venues worldwide and toured extensively across Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa. Their acclaimed discography, especially with Praga Digitals, has earned them multiple prestigious awards.

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The Pražák Quartet, founded in 1972 at the Prague Conservatory, is one of the world's premier chamber ensembles. Early international recognition, including a top prize at the Evian Competition, launched their distinguished global career. Known for their refined musicianship and deep roots in the Czech musical tradition, the Quartet has performed at leading venues and festivals across Europe and North America, collaborating with renowned artists like François Dumont and Josef Suk. The Pražák Quartet has recorded extensively for such labels as Praga Digitals, Supraphon and Orfeo, releasing 50 award-winning albums.

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