Obscure Music Monday: Suk's Summer Impressions

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.

Suk wrote several works for the piano, including Summer Impressions, written in 1902. He also wrote Spring Impressions; he meant to complete the seasonal cycle, but never got around to it. Suk wrote these works during a particularly joyful and content time in his life.

The first movement, "At Noon," has the most wonderfully simple melody, with some intriguing open fifths. You can hear Suk's contentment with life infused in this movement.

In "Children at Play," Suk catches the playfulness and clumsiness of children really well; the grace notes sound like a child tripping over themselves. This movement is joyful and carefree; it's also constantly on the go, which is unsurprising.

The final movement, "Evening Mood," has hints of Debussy throughout it, particularly in the calm beginning. It opens up later on, highly expressive, and goes through some interesting modes, and closes very calmly and peacefully.