Programme notes:

Tereza Jaďuďová (b. 2001)
2 Polonaises, Op. 31
Written in 2019-2020

Tereza Jaďuďová’s 2 Polonaises, Op. 31, revisit the proud Polish dance form in two contrasting orchestral statements. While rooted in the characteristic triple metre and stately accents of the polonaise, both works expand the form with orchestral colour, rhythmic drive, and expressive contrasts that reflect the composer’s personal style.

No. 1 
The first polonaise opens with a confident Allegro Moderato, its rhythm firmly anchored by the traditional polonaise accent pattern. Orchestral brilliance and bold brass interjections give the piece a ceremonial grandeur, while moments of lyrical respite in the strings add warmth.

No. 2
The second polonaise maintains the ceremonial character but with an even more dynamic and playful touch. Rhythmic energy, bright orchestration, and shifting textures create a lively dialogue between the sections of the orchestra, concluding the pair with spirited elegance.

Instrumentation:

picc, 2fl, 2ob, 2cl, 2bn, 4hn, 2tpt, 3trbn, tba, timp, 3perc [tgl, cyms, tamb], str [16vln I, 14vln II, 12vla, 10vc, 8db]