Karel Husa (1921-2016): 'Music for Prague 1968' {Score video orchestral version}

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Karel Husa (1921-2016): 'Music for Prague 1968' {Score video orchestral version}

I. Introduction and Fanfare - 00:00
II. Aria - 6:54
III. Interlude - 12:49
IV. Toccata and Chorale - 16:56

Recording/Performers:
   • Music for Prague 1968: I. Introduction and...  

Music for Prague 1968 is a programmatic work written by Czech-born composer Karel Husa for symphonic band and later transcribed for full orchestra, written shortly after the Soviet Union crushed the Prague Spring reform movement in Czechoslovakia in 1968. Karel Husa was sitting on the dock at his cottage in America at the time, listening to the BBC broadcast of the events on the radio. He was deeply moved, and wrote Music for Prague 1968 to memorialize the events. This piece is a standard among wind ensemble repertoire. The work was commissioned by Ithaca College and was premiered in January 1969 in Washington, DC at the Music Educators National Conference by Dr. Kenneth Snapp and the Ithaca College Concert Band.

Instrumentation:
The work is scored for 2 piccolos (doubling flutes), 6 flutes, 2 oboes, English horn, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, E♭ clarinet, 9 B♭ clarinets, alto clarinet, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet (optional but highly recommended), 2 alto saxophones, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, bass saxophone (doubling the contrabass clarinet part), 8 trumpets, 4 horns, 3 trombones, 2 baritone horns, 2 tubas, string bass and 5 percussion (chimes, marimba, vibraphone, xylophone, timpani, 3 antique cymbals, 3 triangles, 3 suspended cymbals, 3 tam-tams, 2-3 snare drums, 3 tom-toms, and bass drum.) Although they are not in the original score, some performances may add the parts for harp and piano from Husa's orchestral transcription.

Karel Husa (August 7, 1921–December 14, 2016) was a Czech-born classical composer and conductor. In 1954, he emigrated to the United States and became an American citizen in 1959. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Music, and was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship for Creative Arts, US & Canada.

In 1968, my family got out of Prague just three days before the Soviets took over.

Score video provided by TheOneAndOnlyZeno