DVD - Jakub Jan Ryba: Czech Christmas Mass / Czech Christmas Carols
CZECH CHRISTMAS MASS
Kyrie – Gloria – Graduale – Credo – Offertorium – Sanctus – Benedictus – Agnus Dei – Communio
The Czech Christmas Mass called “Hey Master, get up, quickly!“ by Jakub Jan Ryba (1765–1815) became one of the most important works of one of the best educated Czech schoolmasters and usicians of his time who found his destiny in the school employment in the small town of Rožmitál pod Třemšínem. There, Ryba increasingly engaged in diverse activities in the fields of enlightenment, idactics, literature and music. Among the works he left as a composer, we find a number of masses set to Latin texts, but only one to a Czech text. In this case, Ryba chose his own Czech adaptation of the story of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, following the example of popular nativity plays. From the first performance at Christmas in 1796, Ryba’s Czech Mass has gradually become a symbol of Czech Christmas holidays and is frequently performed until today.
- Jitka Soběhartová – soprano
- Marie Mrázová – contralto
- Vladimír Doležal – tenor
- Richard Novák – bass
- Kühn Chamber Chorus
- Chorus master: Pavel Kühn
- František Xaver Thuri – organ
- Dvořák Chamber Orchestra
- Conductor: Libor Pešek
- Screenplay and Music Director: Zdeněk Zahradník
- Screenplay and Music Director: Zdeněk Zahradník
- Sound: Václav Roubal
- Set Designer: Zdeněk Flemming
- Costumes: Jarmila Konečná
- Camera: Jan Osten
- Director: Jan Bonaventura
Sung in Czech
Recorded on October 18 and 19, 1986 at the church in Rožmitál pod Třemšínem
CHRISTMAS CAROLS
Folk songs and carols are an essential part of the Christmas mood. We are now able to listen to a vivid example of what Czech people have been singing during these holidays since the distant past.
I. Christmas songs from the foothills of the Giant Mountains
II. Christmas songs from the time of the Hussites
III. Christmas pastorals
- Soloists: Eva Marková, Gabriela Krčková, Jarmila Miháliková, Ludiše Ďunďerová, Eva Pecková, Lubomír Vraspír, Jaroslav Krček, Jiří Pospíšil
- Pilsen Chorus Czech Song
- Female Chorus Iuventus Paedagogica
- Chorus master: Jiří Kolář
- Prague Brass Quintet
- Musica Bohemica
- Conductor: Jaroslav Krček
- Screenplay: Zdeněk Zahradník
- Camera: Jan Osten
- Director: Jan Bonaventura
Sung in Czech
The DVD is available to buy in the Supraphon e-shop.