Hudba pro klarinet (Karel Husa, Bohuslav Martin) – CD

This new recording presents music for clarinet by Karel Husa and Bohuslav Martin. It includes Martins Sonatina for Clarinet and Piano, together with Husas Slovak Evocations for clarinet, viola and cello, Four Czech Sketches for clarinet and piano, Two Preludes for flute, clarinet and bassoon, Sonata a tre for violin, clarinet and piano, and Three Studies for solo clarinet. The performers are Anna Paulov, clarinet, Ivo Kahnek, piano, Oto Reiprich, flute, Jan Hudeek, bassoon, Jan Fier, violin, Kristina Fialov, viola, and Vilm Vlek, cello. Karel Husa, winner of the Pulitzer and Grawemeyer prizes, draws on both his Parisian studies with Arthur Honegger and Nadia Boulanger and the folk music of his homeland and nearby Slovakia, clearly heard in Slovak Evocations and Four Czech Sketches. His later works reveal an innovative and experimental voice, while remaining accessible to listeners. The album opens with the charming, sometimes wistful Sonatina by Bohuslav Martin, Husas older colleague and fellow emigrant. Clarinetist Anna Paulov has devoted herself to Husas music for many years, joined here by outstanding musicians.