Various: Czech, Moravian & Slovak Duets - CD

The album is dedicated to double songs by Czech composers. The first of these is Antonín Dvořák, who wrote his Moravian duets in 1875 and 1876. Originally they were supposed to be arrangements of folk tunes from Sušil' s collection, but Dvořák eventually decided to use only folk texts and set them to music himself. In the end, the resulting work marked the beginning of his worldwide recognition for Antonín Dvořák. Although the genre of double songs for two female voices and piano is known today mainly thanks to Dvořák, other authors also devoted themselves to this genre, including Dvořák' s contemporary and friend Karel Bendl, whose Twelve Double Songs to Predominantly Lyrical Texts by Vítězslav Hálek from the In Nature Collection originated in the second half of the seventies of the nineteenth century. The last cycle is the Slovak duets of the most important contemporary Czech author Sylvia Bodorová. He also finds inspiration in the contemporary approach to folk (especially Eastern European and Balkan) music, but also in other segments of contemporary music. The compositions are sung by Hana Dobešová and Michaela Rózsa Růžičková accompanied by pianist Ladislav Vondráčková. The recording was made live in the Martinů Hall, Academy of Performing Arts in Prague.

Antonín Dvořák : Moravian duets
Karel Bendl : In nature
Sylvie Bodorová : Slovak duets

Hana Dobešová - Mezzosoprano
Michaela Rózsa Růžičková - Soprano
Ladislava Vondráčková - Piano