Composer

:

Leos Janácek

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1925 - 1926

Publication Date

:

1928

First Performance

:

Apr 25, 1927

Average_duration

:

15:10

Movement_count

:

19

Movement ....

Ríkadla (18), JW 5/17 is a collection of 18 children's rhymes composed by the Czech composer Leos Janácek. The work was composed in 1925 and premiered in Brno, Czechoslovakia on December 6, 1925. The collection is divided into three movements, each containing six rhymes. The first movement is characterized by lively and playful rhythms, while the second movement is more lyrical and contemplative. The third movement returns to the lively and playful character of the first movement. Janácek's use of folk melodies and rhythms is evident throughout the collection, as he drew inspiration from traditional Czech nursery rhymes. The rhymes are set for a small ensemble of instruments, including flute, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, and percussion. The first rhyme, "Kocka leze dírou" (The Cat Crawls Through the Hole), sets the tone for the entire collection with its playful and rhythmic melody. Other notable rhymes include "Husy, husy, húsáci" (Geese, Geese, Honkers), which features a lively and syncopated rhythm, and "Kdyz jsem ja slouzil" (When I Was in the Army), which is characterized by a military-style march. Overall, Ríkadla (18), JW 5/17 is a charming and whimsical collection of children's rhymes that showcases Janácek's skill in incorporating folk melodies and rhythms into his compositions. Its premiere in 1925 was well-received, and the work continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences today.

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