Juraj Filas

Omaggio a Verdi - 1813-2003

Juraj Filas, an important figure in contemporary Czech music, likes to say that his passion for composition emerged in his youth with the admiring discovery of the works of Beethoven and Verdi, whose writing and structures he analyzed to the utmost. These influences remain palpable in his later and contemporary works, albeit with their own harmonic and melodic touch. This Omaggio a Verdi obviously makes use of the Italian master's patterns in a subtle dramaturgy that is not intended to be a parody, but rather marks the distance that separates us today from this bygone era and yet connects us. The five wind players in this magnificent quintet are all confronted with technical, musical and physical challenges, giving this work a masterly dimension. The premiere took place in 2004 as part of the chamber music series of the members of the St. Gallen Symphony Orchestra (Switzerland), with the Quintetto dei Secondi (Dirk Hagemann, flute, Michel Rosset, oboe, Monika Weder, carinette, Hubert Renner, horn and Felix Gass, bassoon). First movement ca. 10' Second movement ca. 7' Last movement ca. 9'