Jan Kalivoda
Jan Křtitel Václav Kalivoda (Johann Baptist Wenzel Kalliwoda in German) (February 21, 1801 – December 3, 1866) was a composer, conductor and violinist of Bohemian birth.
Life
Kalivoda was born in Prague in 1801 and as early as 1811 started studying violin and composition at the Prague Conservatory. He made his debut as a violinist at the age of 14. Upon completion of his studies he became a member of the Prague Opera Orchestra. His diploma from the Conservatory read "Excellent player solo or in an orchestra...shows great talent in composition." More prosperous tours as a violinist, for instance to Linz and Munich, followed.
Kalivoda lived what appears to have been a stable, hardworking musical life. For more than 40 years, from 1822 to 1865, he held the post of conductor at the court of Prince
His son Wilhelm Kalliwoda (1827–1893) continued his father's career, and worked as
Significance
Kalivoda "represents a sort of symphonic 'missing link' between Beethoven and Schumann," writes the critic David Hurwitz, founder of Classics Today. "His melodic appeal and rhythmic energy undoubtedly have something to do with his Czech roots...but he also had a genuine understanding of symphonic development and real contrapuntal skill." Hurwitz observes that "as the predominance of minor keys suggests, his music has passion and an emotional depth that recalls Beethoven without ever descending into mere imitation. Part of the reason for his distinctiveness stems from his skill at orchestration."...The symphonic music of Kalliwoda is "thrilling, and it strikingly anticipates or echoes so much of 19th century music--from Berlioz to Dvorák to Wagner, and even Sibelius..."[1] Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine
Compositions
Kalivoda was a highly prolific composer, and was held in high regard during his lifetime by such eminent contemporaries as Robert Schumann. In all, his works number in the hundreds, of which there are about 250 works or sets of works with opus numbers.
His compositions included operas,
Selected discography
- Kalliwoda: 6 Nocturnos for viola and piano. Performed by Ashan Pillai and Michael Endres. Oehms Classics
- Kalliwoda: Overture No. 12; Introduction & Variations for clarinet & orchestra; Introduction & Rondo for horn & orchestra; Symphony No. 3. Performed by Radovan Vlatkovic(horn) with the Hamburg Symphony conducted by Johannes Moesus. MDG 329 1387-2
- Kalliwoda: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 6. Performed by the Hofkapelle Stuttgart conducted by Frieder Bernius. Orfeo C 677 061
- Kalliwoda: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 7; Overture No. 16. Performed by Das Neue Orchester conducted by Christoph Spering. CPO 777 139-2
- Kalliwoda: String Quartets 1-3 opp. 61, 62 and 90. The Talich Quartet. 2006. Calliope 9357.[3][4]
- Kalliwoda: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 4; Overture No. 17. Performed by Die Kölner Akademie conducted by Michael Alexander Willens. CPO 777-469-2
- Kalliwoda: Violin Concertinos Nos. 1 & 5; Overtures Nos. 3, 7 & 10. Performed by Die Kölner Akademie conducted by Michael Alexander Willens. CPO 777-692-2
Further reading
- Strauss-Németh, László (2005). Johann Wenzel Kalliwoda und die Musik am Hof von Donaueschingen (in German). Hildesheim; New York: G. Olms. OCLC 62309510.
References
- ISBN 978-0252036163.
- ^ Peyser, Herbert F. (1951). The Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York: 5000th Concert, December 13, 1951. New York Philharmonic Society.
- ^ "Classics Today Review of Talich Quartet Kalivoda Recording". Retrieved 2007-08-19.
- ^ "Calliope Homepage Entry for Kalivoda Quartet Recording". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-08-19.
External links
- "Biography of Johann Wenzel Kalliwoda, with illustrations and bibliography" (in German). Badische Landesbibliothek. 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-01-20. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- Free scores by Jan Kalivoda at the International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP)