Pohadka Suite, Op. 16 (Ein Maerchen; A Fairy Tale)

In 1897 and 1898, Josef Suk (1874-1935) composed incidental music for the stage play RAD?Z AND MAHULENA by Czech writer Julius Zeyer. Based on a love story with elements from Slovakian folklore and Indian poetry, the original music included vocal solos and choruses. Adolf Cech conducted the first performance on June 6, 1898 at the National Theatre in Prague. Realizing that the theatrical work would receive few subsequent performances, Suk developed the material into a four-movement suite for orchestra, POH?DKA SUITE, Op. 16. The Czech Philharmonic premiered the suite at Rudolfinum, Prague on February 7, 1901 under the direction of Oskar Nedbal. Instrumentation: 2+Picc.2+EH.2+BCl.2: 4.2.3.1: Timp.Perc (2-3): Hp: Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set).