VACLAV TALICH Conductor autographed large program, Dvorak Slavonic Dances, 1940

Description

Autographed 8.75” x 11.25” jumbo bi-fold program for a War-Time performance of Dvorak’s “Slavonic Dances”, both opuses 46 and 72, January 28, 1940.  There is also the program for the performance the day before, of Smetana’s “Ma Vlast”.
Talich was closely associated with both pieces, especially the Slavonic Dances.  His recordings of the Dances with both the Czech Philharmonic and The Czech Chamber Orchestra have not been rivaled.  This program is a historical record of performances of both the complete Slavonic Dances and Smetana’s “Ma Vlast” over two separate performances under Nazi occupation. The two works were not typically performed during the occupation.
Talich (1883-1961)  was appointed Chief Conductor of the Czech Philharmonic in 1919, he held the position until 1933 resigning in protest.  From 1926-1936 Talich was the Principal Conductor of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic.  Later in 1933 after they begged for his return in Prague, he accepted his former position with the Czech Philharmonic with complete artistic control until 1941. He was also given the Directorship of the National Theater which he held until the Nazi’s closed it in 1944.  After the War, Talich was falsely accused of collaboration with the Nazi’s, imprisoned briefly and then released.  The conductor was not given his old position with the Czech Philharmonic back, so he established The Czech Chamber Orchestra in 1946 which can be seen playing Dvorak Slavonic Dances with Talich in multiple YouTube clips. Talich was at loggerheads with the new Communist Czech Government in 1948 and they demanded he be removed as Music Director of the orchestra.  The orchestra members chose to disband, rather than to continue with another Music Director, or conductor. He then went to Bratislava, sufficiently away from Prague, where he established the Slovak Philharmonic where he continued to conduct until 1952 when he moved back to Prague.  He returned as a guest conductor with the Czech Philharmonic from 1952-1954.  He conducted several radio broadcasts with the orchestra as late as 1956.  By 1957 his talent and legacy was too much for the Communists to ignore and they decreed that he was a National Artist.
The program has some condition issues, it was folded in quarter and there has been some separation at the creases.  However, it is an important historical record of Talich, The Czech Philharmonic and the time.  The price takes this into account including the fact that it is a specifically scarce autographed program.
Will cost slightly more to ship due to size.
Harmonie Autographs and Music, Inc.
Appraisers and Music Antiquarian
New York, New York