The 'Asrael' Symphony was considered a highly advanced achievement for its time, approaching the styles of Mahler, Debussy, and Strauss, though some critics found its harmonic boldness excessive.
Composer Biography
Josef Suk, the composer, studied violin and composition at the Prague Conservatory, where he was a favorite pupil of Antonín Dvořák.
Composition History
The symphony is subtitled 'Asrael', named after the angel of death in Islamic faith, who leads souls to paradise.
Performer Biography
The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1998, consists of 105 musicians from 25 nations, showcasing harmony among different cultures.
Composition History
Suk's Symphony No. 2, 'Asrael', was initially conceived as a memorial to his teacher and father-in-law Antonín Dvořák, but was expanded to also commemorate his wife Otylka after her death.
Recording & Production
This Hybrid SACD recording aims to reproduce the natural sound of a concert venue using a 5.0 surround sound configuration, with all five channels recorded across the full frequency range.
Compositional Technique
The 'Asrael' Symphony uses a 'death motif' from Suk's incidental music to Radúz and Mahulena, characterized by a double tritone, an interval historically known as 'diabolus in musica'.
