Programme notes:

Tereza Jaďuďová (b. 2001)
Turčín Poničan, Op. 30
Written in 2018, rev. 2021

Tereza Jaďuďová’s Turčín Poničan is a symphonic poem for large orchestra, mixed choir, and four soloists (SATB), based on Samo Chalupka’s celebrated poem of the same name. A leading figure of the Štúrovci movement, Chalupka wrote works that blend Slovak history, folklore, and patriotism, with Turčín Poničan standing among his best-known pieces.

The music follows the narrative closely, moving between vivid dramatic action and moments of lyrical reflection. Folk influences—both Slovak and Turkish—are woven throughout, with Jaďuďová employing authentic melodies such as the Slovak song Prší and the Turkish tune Katibim.

The work is divided into two broad parts:

• In Slovakia (Kingdom of Hungary) – The “horse” or “military” motive recurs, symbolizing the Turkish raids. Folk-inflected melodic writing underscores the Slovak setting, with the bass soloist (Turčín) and choir portraying the events of the poem.

• In the Ottoman Empire – Shifting to A minor, the focus moves to the soloists, with the choir appearing in key moments. The Turkish atmosphere is evoked through Katibim, modal color, and Orientalist orchestration. The alto soloist (Starká) sings a lullaby to her grandson, blending Slovak melody with exotic elements.

The closing section is Starká’s farewell: her funeral march and longing for home, accompanied by quiet pizzicatos in cello and bass. As the strings reprise the main motives, the work ends in stillness—her heart at rest, her spirit returned to her homeland.

Instrumentation:

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