Search - Vitezslav Novak, Jiri Skovajsa :: Novák: String Quartet/Piano Quintet

Hardly anyone knows all the worthwhile music written by Dvor?ak. But if you find yourself wishing there were more, you might do well to investigate Vítezslav Novák (1870-1949), who drew inspiration from folk music and from his famous teacher. Both of these pieces were composed while Dvor?ak was still alive, but Novák remained faithful to this folk-inflected romantic style throughout his long career. The earlier Piano Quintet tends to ramble a bit more, but it has a particularly delightful finale labeled "In the Slovak style." The String Quartet, in two long movements, could almost be mistaken for Dvor?ak--which is meant as praise. Fine performances by little-known Czech musicians. --Leslie Gerber