Lachische Polonaise - MVSR1921 | Musica

Evzen Zámecník was born in Frýdek-Místek (Czech Republik) in 1939 . He studied violin and composition at the conservatory in Brno and continued his composing studies at the Janácek-Academy with Jan Kapr. Due to his exceptional musical abilites Zámecník received a scholarship at the conservatory in Munic with Günter Bialas in the 60's. Later he worked at the Academy of the Arts in Prague. For many years he was violinist of the philharmonic orchestra in Brno and later dramaturg of the Janácek-Opera. From 1994 he was headmaster of the conservatory in Brno for many years.

Zamecník composed for many different instruments and genres, e.g. three string quartets, two quintets for wind instruments, several duos for strings, orchestral works, a violin concerto, three cantatas, one opera buffa, two children's operas and a musical.
His works for wind band are also very respected by national and international musicians and audiences.

One of his big works for wind band is "Lachian Polonaise". Lachian is a mixed language of west Slavonic languages, related to both Czech and Polish.
A polonaise is a festivly striffen dance in three-four time. During the 16th century it was danced by Polish dignitaries as an homage to their home country. From the 17th century on it established in its present form, first in France. This is how the dance got its name, as "polonaise" is the Frech word for Polish. Then the polonaise gained currency all over Europe becoming a popular dance and a gladly used musical form.

Eczen Zámecník begins his "Lachian Polonaise" with soft and lovely, almost melancholic Melodies alternating with strong and heavy passages throughout the whole piece.