Bohuslav Martinů - The Parables; Estampes; Overture; Rhapsody (Jiří Bělohlávek)

Information

Composer: Bohuslav Martinů

• The Parables for orchestra, H. 367
• Estampes for large orchestra, H. 369
• Overture for orchestra, H. 345
• Rhapsody - Allegro symphonique for orchestra, H. 171

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

Jiří Bělohlávek, conductor

Date: 1987

Label: Supraphon

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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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Jiří Bělohlávek (24 February 1946 – 31 May 2017) was a Czech conductor. He was born in Prague and graduated from the Prague Conservatory and the Academy of Performing Arts. Bělohlávek was a leading interpreter of Czech classical music, and became chief conductor of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in 1990, a role he would serve on two occasions during a combined span of seven years (1990–92, 2012–17). He also served a six-year tenure as the chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra from 2006 to 2012. He gained international renown for his performances of the works of Czech composers.

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