Um dos poemas sinfônicos mais impactantes que já escutei. Incrível obra pós-romântica. Adoro a atmosfera macabra induzida pelos acordes de alta dissonância e pelo caráter de tonalidade ambígua no meio da peça, que vão levando a um clímax que se resolve na cena do órgão em pianíssimo/piano acompanhado da harpa e do vibrafone, depois de mais instrumentos que voltam com os temas principais e, ao final, o tutti orquestral faz uma alternância entre consonância e dissonância pesada.
I have listening preferences that I do not have words for. I looked at 1,000 + views in about 2 years and was amazed. While this work did not sore to my top 50 favorite works, it is a formidable project. At no point in my listening, did I say, I am going to turn it off. I did say, I am going to revisit and added it to my growing favorite list (yes, there are more than 50 favorites on my favorite lists).
Twenty years ago I was fortunate enough to pick up a CD of this searing masterpiece plus more Novak in a Prague store - a recording that seems to be hardly known here. It gets a blistering performance on the Supraphon label by the Brno State Philharmonic under Jaroslav Vogel in 1961 - the revulsion in the performance is almost palpable. It is one of my most precious CDs. The great work is Novak's direct impression of the Nazi invasion and occupation of his country. Here is the excellent BBC Phil, it must be said far more technically accomplished than the brave 1960s Brno band, and with the benefit of a first-rate recording. I am delighted to have come across it. But anyone who can find my Czech recording will have found a devastating historical document. Novak is yet another great composer living in the shadows.
