Jiří Antonín & František Benda: Viola and Violin Concertos – Naxos CD

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• UPC: 730099499422
• Product Type: Music CD
• Brand Name: Naxos
• MPN: 8.553994
• Genre: Classical
• Style: 18th Century / Early Classical / Empfindsamer Stil
• Composers: Jiří Antonín Benda & František Benda
• Performers: Josef Suk (Viola), Ariane Pfister (Violin), Christian Benda (Cello/Conductor), Suk Chamber Orchestra, Prague Chamber Orchestra
• Release Year: 2002

Product Features

• Format: Audio CD (DDD)
• Playing Time: 53:24
• Series: The 18th Century Symphony/Concerto
• Label: Naxos
• Recording Venues: Chapel of the Brethren and Lichtenstein Palace, Prague, Czech Republic (1994–1999)

Overview

This second volume of works by the illustrious Benda family offers a captivating look into the transition from the Baroque to the Classical era. The Bendas were a cornerstone of Bohemian musical life, and this recording highlights their mastery of the Empfindsamer Stil (sensitive style), characterized by sudden shifts in mood and deep emotional expression.

The disc features Jiří Antonín Benda’s late-career Viola Concerto in F major, a work of sophisticated elegance, alongside his brother František Benda’s earlier Violin Concerto in E flat major. A particularly moving addition is Benda’s Klagen, a musical "farewell" written by Jiří Antonín in his 70th year, here beautifully adapted for the cello. Performed by legendary violist Josef Suk and led by descendant Christian Benda, this recording bridges centuries of musical tradition with scholarly precision and heartfelt artistry.

Interesting Facts

• A Family Dynasty: The Benda family was a musical powerhouse in the 18th century. František was the concertmaster for Frederick the Great of Prussia, while Jiří Antonín was a pioneer of the "melodrama" (spoken word with music) that deeply influenced Mozart.
• Musical Lineage: The conductor and cellist on this recording, Christian Benda, is a direct descendant of the composers, ensuring a deeply personal and authentic approach to the interpretations.
• The Soloists: Featured soloist Josef Suk was the grandson of composer Josef Suk and the great-grandson of Antonín Dvořák, adding another layer of rich Czech musical heritage to this production.
• Benda's Klagen: Originally written as a "complaint" or "farewell," this piece reflects Jiří Antonín's introspective state as he drew near the end of his life in 1792.
• Artistic Setting: The cover art, Infantry Review at Dresden’s Old Market by Johann Samuel Mock, perfectly illustrates the refined, aristocratic atmosphere of the era in which this music was composed.

Track Listing

Jiří Antonín BENDA (1722–1795) Viola Concerto in F major (c. 1775) (21:04)

1. I. Allegro (7:25)
2. II. Largo (9:02)
3. III. Rondeau (4:37) Performed by Josef Suk (Viola) & Suk Chamber Orchestra

František BENDA (1709–1786) Violin Concerto in E flat major (c. 1760) (21:05)

1. I. Allegretto (7:47)
2. II. Affettuoso ma non troppo. Lento (7:52)
3. III. Presto assai (5:26) Performed by Ariane Pfister (Violin) & Suk Chamber Orchestra

Jiří Antonín BENDA

1. Benda’s Klagen (1792) (11:15) (Adapted for the cello by Christian Benda) Performed by Christian Benda (Cello) & Prague Chamber Orchestra

Publishers

Published by HNH International Ltd. (℗ & © 2002). Producers: Jaroslav Rybář and Jiří Gemrot. Engineers: Martin Vrzal and Jan Kotzmann. Basso continuo realized by Sebastian Benda.

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