Programme notes:

Tereza Jaďuďová (b. 2001)
5 Romances, Op. 28
Written in 2018, arr. 2022

Tereza Jaďuďová’s 5 Romances are intimate and deeply personal works for soprano and piano, each based on a poem by a Slovak writer. They form a lyrical cycle in which poetic imagery, vocal expression, and piano colour merge into a single narrative. The dedication to a great soprano Helena Szabó hints at the personal nature of the set, while each Romance explores a distinct emotional and atmospheric world.

No. 1 – Kukučka (Ján Botto)
Opening with a delicate Andante, the first Romance captures the gentle call of the cuckoo and the pastoral stillness of nature. The vocal line flows in calm, speech-like phrases, while the piano provides transparent support, evoking the sounds of the countryside.

No. 2 – Žiaľ (Samo Chalupka)
Marked by a darker tone, this piece unfolds as a lament. The voice moves in expressive arcs, supported by harmonies of quiet gravity in the piano. It is a meditation on loss, sustained by a restrained but poignant atmosphere.

No. 3 – A tisíc kvapiek (Ján Kalinčiak)
This Romance, with its Moderato misterioso, paints the image of “a thousand drops” through delicate, almost pointillistic piano textures. The interplay of voice and accompaniment creates a shimmering soundscape, alternating between tenderness and subtle drama.

No. 4 – Smútok (Samo Chalupka)
Here, the melancholy is more direct, the lines more introspective. The piano’s harmonic richness underpins the sorrowful vocal melody, crafting an atmosphere of dignified mourning and quiet acceptance.

No. 5 – Láska (Pavel Kokeš-Kýčerský)
The cycle closes with a tender declaration of love. The Andante tranquillo moves with lyrical grace, the voice unfolding its melody in warm arcs, while the piano gently supports and colours each phrase. It is a serene conclusion, filled with heartfelt intimacy.

Premiere:

17/02/2025, Bratislava (Slovakia), Concert Hall Dvorana VŠMU. Performers: soprano – Lucia Byráková, conductor: Ervin Romano Fulmek, orchestra: Musica dei Ricordi

Concert A few words about love…