The poetry of Andrej Sládkovič in the musical works of Slovak composers Cover Image

Poézia Andreja Sládkoviča v hudobnej tvorbe slovenských skladateľov
The poetry of Andrej Sládkovič in the musical works of Slovak composers

Author(s): Kristína Gotthardtová
Subject(s): Music, Slovak Literature
Published by: Ústav slovenskej literatúry SAV
Keywords: poetry; musical adaptation; compositional approaches; musical genres; relationship between word and music;

Summary/Abstract: The poetry of Andrej Sládkovič (1820 – 1872) has become a strong source of inspiration for several Slovak musical composers. Their motivation, choice of poems and compositional approaches varied in time. In the 19th century, adaptations of Sládkovič’s shorter poems for a cappella choirs were popular (J. L. Bella, A. H. Krčméry, M. Francisci). The ideas of national emancipation formed the background for these. In the 20th century, greater variance in compositional approaches can be observed. However, these were based on a smaller number of the poems. The article analyses concretisations of various musical genres from the musical adaptation (of the long poem Marína) for an a cappella choir (Andrej Očenáš, 1957) and vocal-instrumental oratorio (Cyril a Metod – Constantine and Methodius, Tibor Andrašovan, 1987) through musical theatre and scenic music to multimedia composition. It takes a closer look at three adaptations of Detvan and describes the different authorial handlings of the poem. While Viliam Figuš-Bystrý’s opera (premiered 1928) illustrates the musical thinking of the late 19th century on a representative genre, the further two point to the use of progressive compositional techniques of the second half of the 20th century and represent utility music (Bartolomej Urbanec, 1963; Tadeáš Salva, 1975).

  • Issue Year: 68/2021
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 135-144
  • Page Count: 10
  • Language: Slovak