Kalabis: Sonty pro violoncello, klarinet, violu a piano – CD

The compositional legacy of Viktor Kalabis (19232006), one of the most distinctive figures in 20th-century Czech music, comprises dozens of mainly instrumental works, including compositions written for his wife, the harpsichordist Zuzana Rikov. Kalabis sought music whose roots were firmly planted in his homeland and which was intended for educated listeners. Although he also drew inspiration from 20th-century masters, he developed his own synthesis, an alternative to rational compositional techniques that was non-Romantic and close to musical neoclassicism. Pianist Ivo Kahnek, together with leading Czech performers, records three sonatas: the Cello Sonata reflects the dramatic events between June and September 1968, from the euphoria of the Prague Spring to disillusionment and resignation after the invasion of Soviet troops, which froze all hopes of freedom for two decades. The Clarinet Sonata (1969) also speaks clearly of its time, expressing drama, sorrow and pain intensified to an almost wrenching degree. In the concise and cohesive Violin Sonata (1982), the instruments characteristic ethos prevails: lyricism, radiance of sound and spirituality. This recording offers another insight into Kalabiss remarkable musical world, with the dramas of recent history imprinted in his chamber music.