V. Novák – Sonata Eroica, Op. 24 (Rauch)

0:00 – 1. Allegro patetico
12:01 – 2. Andante mesto – Allegro energico

Sonata Eroica has its unique place in standard Czech piano literature for being the only great romantic sonata (if one does not include Smetana's unconvincing early one or some other obscure works). Novák has also sketched another piano sonata, which has however been left unfinished. Much like the Brigand sonatina, it is burning with patriotism – the first movement should evoke the heroism of Juraj Jánošík, while the second, according to Novák's own words, is about "suffering and conquering". The musical nature combines folk music elements of Slovácko (southeastern part of Moravia) and Slovakia, with the thematic material being roughly based on the Slovak folk song Okolo Hovoran .

The critical opinion on this sonata has historically been mixed: according to the pianist Ignaz Friedman the Swedish critics at the time proclaimed it the best piano piece of the last ten years. On the other hand, when Novák submitted it to a composition competition in 1901, the jury led by Dvořák has denied him the prize.

Composer – Vítězslav Novák (1870–1949)
Piano – František Rauch
Year of recording – 1977

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