Presents
Antonin Rázek
Soundbites
Six Comic Pieces for String Quartet
Who is Antonin Rázek you may well ask. You will find him in none of the standard or even non-standard reference sources. So, you can be excused if you have not come across him. That we were able to bring you these works was due to a discovery by our Editor in Chief Raymond Silvertrust.
"Several years ago, while playing string quartets one night in Prague, my host brought out a work by a composer I had never heard of---Antonin Rázek. It was a short work, the title of which was in Czech:-- Rano v kuruniku, which my host graciously translated for me--Morning in the Chicken Coop. Absolutely hilarious it was. Wonderfully conceived and executed, sounding true to life. Who was this fellow I asked and where could I find his music. I was directed to the central library in Prague where I found a treasure trove. Dozens of such works by him, which for the most part were only circulated in manuscript form until they were finally published by the firm of Jana Hoffmann in the early 1920s. I obtained copies of 19 of these short works. After playing them all, I have selected what I consider six of the best for publication."
The following information about Antonin Rázek (1852-1929) was provided by Vladimir Fähnrich my host in Prague. Rázek was born in Prague. He studied trombone, piano, composition and violin at the Prague Conservatory, the latter for a short time with Ferdinand Laub. He served as a conductor of various military bands and taught at a military academy. In the Czech lands, he was known for his songs.
If you are not beyond enjoying a humorous work or two, you can do no better than these wonderful pieces. They are highly entertaining and can be used as encores.
Parts: $24.95
