Antonin Tucapsky was awarded the OSA high prize as “the most successful composer of serious music – 2008”.
OSA is an institution in Prague controlling and protecting composers’ rights, not only in the Czech Republic
but all over the world. This organisation bestows yearly honorary distinctions in various branches of music.
PERFORMANCES
The BBC Symphony Orchestra under their conductor, Jiri Belohlavek, recorded Tucapsky’s Concerto for Clarinet
and orchestra. The soloist was Richard Hosford and it was transmitted on BBC 3 in May 2009.
BROADCASTS
On 16 January, 2009 Tucapsky’s Stabat Mater was broadcast on BBC Radio Classic fm.
The recording was from the CD issued by SOMM. Vladimir Valek conducted the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra
and Prague Mixed Choir with soloists, Pavla Aunicka, mezzo soprano and Roman Janal, baritone.
The choir was prepared by Miroslav Kosler.
CONCERTS
In December 2008 a wonderful concert took place in the Rudolfinum, Prague, under the auspices of the Czech
Philharmonic consisting entirely of Tucapsky’s Choral Music.
The concert was instigated and organised by Miroslav Kosler and eight choirs from various parts of the Czech
Republic took part.
This was a tribute to the composer who celebrated his 80th birthday in 2008.
The concert ended with “Jubilate Deo” for Mixed Choir and Orchestra which was conducted by Miriam Nemcova.
In April, 2009 at the Besedni Dum, Brno, Tucapsky’s Concerto for Guitar and String Orchestra was premiered
by the Brno Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Alexander Markovich and the soloist was Vladislav Blaha.
PressPiano Magazine July/August 2009
One last small house remains to be investigated - Roberton Publications - and it submitted two thick
books of Preludes by Antonin Tucapsky. There are the standard 24 in all, divided between the two books, and they are quite fascinating. So much interesting, resourceful piano writing, attractive and contemporarily flavoured. You could, for sheer pleasure, just open up and explore the range of thought and technique.
As with any collection of 24 preludes, except Bach's maybe, not every piece will give satisfaction.
The parallels here are more with Shostakovich and Scriabin anyway, and both of those included a few that don't quite cut the mustard, did they not? Even Chopin's 24 are not all fabulous, nor Debussy's........ John York