Some time ago, a concert tour took me to the Southern Hemisphere, where I was to perform Poulenc's Concert champêtre. Just before the performance, I came across a critical article in the program notes addressing the rarity of harpsichord concertos. I remained silent about my reaction to the author; later, I met him and tried to appease him over a drink.
Bohuslav Martinů is considered the creator of some of the most beautiful works for the harpsichord. His remarkable life—from Prague to Paris, then to America and Switzerland—underscores his unique position in the 20th century. Martinů was distinguished by his musicality and a subtle, ironic touch, which lent his works emotional complexity and wit.
Hans Krása, a pre-war composer, is often mentioned today in connection with his imprisonment in the Theresienstadt concentration camp. Before the Holocaust, however, he played a central role in the cultural life of the First Czechoslovak Republic. His chamber music, composed in 1936 and based on a popular song, sparked considerable controversy. Despite his deportations to Theresienstadt and subsequently Auschwitz, he left behind a substantial musical legacy.
Viktor Kalabis's 1975 Concerto for Harpsichord and String Orchestra is closely linked to his relationship with Zuzana Růžičková, who survived the trauma of the concentration camps. This particular work represents a turning point in her life and reflects Kalabis's affection for her. This recording, and Kalabis's composition in particular, aims to raise awareness of his extraordinary musical personality beyond the Czech Republic. A realistic gentleman with a cautious sense of hope, Kalabis embodies the Czech musical tradition and underscores the cultural strength of the Czech Republic in the last century.