Bohuslav Martinů - Violin Concertos; Rhapsody-Concerto (Josef Suk)

Information

Composer: Bohuslav Martinů

• Violin Concerto No. 1, H. 226
• Violin Concerto No. 2, H. 293
• Rhapsody-Concerto for viola & orchestra, H. 337

Josef Suk, violin

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

Václav Neumann, conductor

Date: 1974; 1989

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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Josef Suk (8 August 1929 – 7 July 2011) was a Czech violinist, violist and conductor, the grandson of the composer and violinist Josef Suk. He studied at the Prague Conservatory and Academy of Performing Arts. Suk led the Prague Quartet (1950–52) and co-founded the Suk Trio in 1951. He became a soloist with the Czech Philharmonic in 1961 and later artistic director of the Suk Chamber Orchestra. A prolific recording artist, he earned numerous prestigious awards, including the Edison Prize and Grand Prix de l'Académie Charles Cros. Suk also taught violin in Vienna and served on music competition juries.

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