Programme notes:

Tereza Jaďuďová (b. 2001)
5 Sketches, Op. 18
Written in 2016-2018

Tereza Jaďuďová’s 5 Sketches form a diverse collection of character pieces, each one offering a compact yet vivid musical image. Composed across a span of two years during the composer’s adolescence, these miniatures reflect both playful creativity and emotional sensitivity. Though short in form, they explore wide contrasts of mood, technique, and texture, making them ideal for both study and concert performance.

No. 1 – Scene from the Storm
A dramatic opening to the set, this sketch uses abrupt dynamic shifts, sharp articulations, and rhythmic tension to paint a turbulent natural landscape. The storm unfolds not as a literal description, but as a metaphor for emotional upheaval.

No. 2 – ADHD

No. 3 – Dancing Dew in the Grass
In delicate 6/8 rhythms and gently sparkling textures, this piece captures the freshness of morning dew. Its light motion and airy touch suggest a sense of playful wonder, ideal for cultivating control and color in tone production.

No. 4 – Lullaby
Dedicated to her then-little twin-cousins, this sketch offers a moment of calm and intimacy. A soft melodic line, marked espressivo, is woven into simple harmonies that rock gently like a cradle. The piece is lyrical, understated, and emotionally direct.

No. 5 – The Sailor’s Song (Barcarolle)
The final sketch is a flowing barcarolle with a distinctive rhythm reminiscent of waves. Combining a dreamy lilt with moments of expressive rubato, the piece suggests both longing and freedom, closing the set with poetic grace.