Symphony in D minor - Vilém Blodek (ed. František Kolář)
Symphony in D minor comes from the early period of Blodek’s life; the exact year of origin, however, is unknown, the dates mentioned in literature varying from 1857 to 1866. Because of its grievous nature and the expressed desire for peace of mind and consolation of the soul, which is apparent already from the poetical motto on the title page of the score, puts Ratibor Budiš, author of Blodek´s biography, the symphony in relation with Blodek’s amorous relationship to Marie Daublebská, his piano student, which met an unfulfilled end around this time. The symphony could be a proof of Blodek’s ensuing emotional crisis.
Blodek’s symphony was probably written not long after Smetana’s Triumphal Symphony (premiered 1855), and alongside Jan Bedřich Kittl’s Symphony No. 4 C major (prem. 1858), and Václav Jindřich’s Veit’s (1806 – 1864) Symphony in E minor from the late 1850s (prem. 1859).
Symphony in D minor was not performed during Blodek’s life. In fact, it was not premiered until 1966, when it was also recorded for the first time for the Czech Radio by the Prague Symphony Orchestra with Josef Hrnčíř. The second recording came in 1973 (Bohumír Liška, Pilsen Radio Orchestra). The current revised edition of the symphony was used for a new recording from September 2012 (Ondřej Kukal, Czech Radio Symphonic Orchestra).
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