Obscure Music Monday: Suk's Spring

Josef Suk (Jan. 4, 1874 - May 29, 1935) was a Czech composer and violinist. He began his musical training at an early age, learning the violin, organ, and piano from his father. Suk went on to study composition at the Prague Conservatory, with his most famous teacher being Antonin Dvořák, and the two became close, trusted friends. Suk ended up marrying Dvořák's daughter, Otilie.

Spring is one of Suk's wonderful works for piano, and it was written during a time of great joy for him; he'd been married for a few years, and his wife had recently given birth to their son. Suk felt great joy and contentment, which is clearly heard in the first movement, titled Spring. The very opening chords and following lines are bright and happy as can be. In the second movement, The Breeze, the cheerful mood is still very much present, this time with a happy-go-lucky feeling added, which can be heard in the chromatic grace notes along with descending triplet line. In Expectation, the third movement, has some interesting harmonies here and there. In the left hand when the piece gets most busy, there's a sense of urgency and want, which given the title, makes sense. Intermezzo starts with a few single notes followed by a quick succession of them, as if they're trying to catch up to something. It's an intriguing and enigmatic movement overall. Suk wraps this fantastic piece up with Lovesickness, which drips with longing, particularly in the sad, descending chromatic lines that fall here and there, as if they were tears.