Programme notes:

Tereza Jaďuďová (b. 2001)
Suite Scandinavia, Op. 27
Written in 2018-2019, rev. 2025

Composed after a journey through the Nordic countries, Tereza Jaďuďová’s Suite Scandinavia transforms the landscapes of Finland, Sweden, and Norway into six vivid orchestral portraits. Each pair of movements captures the essence of one country, combining strong imagery with refined orchestration.

The suite employs a colorful palette—woodwinds carrying birdsong, harp and strings painting lakes and fjords, brass and percussion evoking rustic dance, wind, and cascading water. Across its six movements, Jaďuďová balances lyricism and rhythmic vitality, celebrating the beauty and character of Scandinavia’s nature.

I – The Lake

A vast, silent lake stretches before you, its surface shimmering under the soft northern sun. Gentle woodwinds carry a melody as if echoing across the water, joined by playful flutes mimicking birds in flight. The world slows down, nature and soul blending into one serene moment.

II – The Birch Grove

A lively, rustic dance unfolds in shifting rhythms, evoking the spirit of a countryside celebration. Laughter rings through the trees, boots stomp against the earth, and the joy of life spills into every note. The music rushes forward, unrestrained and full of light.

III – The Rocky Seashore

The Swedish coast is both wild and peaceful—a meeting place of wind, water, and stone. Deep harmonies in the strings suggest the weight of ancient cliffs, while restless winds weave through the melody like seabirds gliding over the waves. The sea is never still, and neither is the music.

IV – The White Reindeer

A rare white reindeer dashes through the snow, its movement light and effortless. The melody dances with the same playful energy, capturing both the animal’s elegance and its untamed spirit. For a moment, the landscape feels enchanted—alive with the magic of the north.

V – The Waterfall

A delicate trickle of pizzicato strings grows into a powerful cascade. The music mirrors the water’s journey, from small rippling streams to an overwhelming force. Momentum builds, then releases, as the waterfall finds its way into the endless embrace of the river.

VI – The Fjord

Majestic, timeless, and ever-changing, the fjord holds both mystery and grandeur. The music rises and falls like its towering cliffs, swelling toward a peak before retreating into stillness. A reflection of nature’s cycle—always flowing, always returning.

Instrumentation:

3fl [III picc], 2ob [II corA], 2cl, 2bn, 4hn, 2tpt, 3trbn, tba, timp, perc [tgl, cyms], hp, str [14vln I, 12vln II, 10vla, 8vc, 6db]

rev. 2fl [II picc], 2ob, 2cl, 2bn, 2hn, 2tpt, timp, perc [tgl, cyms, glsp, tamb, bd, sd], hp, str [6vln I, 5vln II, 4vla, 4vc, 2db]

Premiere:

20/11/2025, Žilina (Slovakia), Dom umenia Žilina. Performers: ŠKO Žilina. Conductor: .

Festival Nová slovenská hudba 2025 (New Slovak Music 2025).