DVD Václav Talich
Václav Talich (1883–1961) was the legendary chief conductor of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra from 1919 to 1941, who created that ensemble’s specific symphonic sound and established its worlwide reputation. After the Communist takeover in Czechoslovakia in February 1948, this great master was not allowed to appear publicly in the Czech lands. Working with the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra in Bratislava from 1949 to 1952 helped him recover from this shock. Meanwhile, in Prague he was at least allowed to make occasional recordings with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, but he could not give concerts with the ensemble until March 1954. In November 1954 Talich conducted the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra for the last time in a public concert, and in 1955 he made a television recording of the Slavonic Dances with the orchestra. He spent the last few years of his life in his family villa in Beroun not far from Prague, and the great story of his life came to a close shortly before spring 1961.
Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904)
Slavonic Dances
Ist Series (1–8), Op. 46, B. 83, 1878
IInd Series (9–16), Op. 72, B. 147, 1886
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor Václav Talich
(P) 1955 Czech Television
Confidence and Huminity – Documentary
written and directed by Martin Suchánek
produced by Jiří Hubač
photography by Richard Špůr and Martin Kubala
edited by Marek Opatrný
sound Marek Hart
© 2004 BVA International Ltd., Czech Philharmonic,
The Municipal House
Photogallery
The DVD is available to buy in the Supraphon e-shop.