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Rafael Kubelík

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Biography

The Czech composer Rafael Kubelik was born into an artistic Bohemian family; his father was a famous violinist and his mother was a Hungarian countess who had eight children, five of whom became violinists. After studying at the Prague Conservatory Kubelik graduated in 1933 and later embarked on a tour of the US with his father in 1935. After returning to Czechoslovakia he took up a position as musical director of the Brno Opera, a position he held until the Nazis shut it down in 1941. Kubelik managed to continue with his musical career whilst the country was under occupation but his outspoken criticism of the Nazis made his position increasingly untenable. Finally in 1944 he was forced to go into hiding following his refusal to conduct any of Wagner's compositions. Kubelik's privileged upbringing with its rich cultural influences is possibly what caused him to be a vociferous opponent of the communist Czech government when they came to power after the World War II. He went into self-imposed exile during a trip to the UK but eventually became a Swiss citizen in 1967 although subsequently much of his professional life spent in the US working with the Boston Symphony, the Chicago Symphony and the New York Philharmonic. He was forced to retire in 1985 due to arthritis but did return to perform in Czechoslovakia following the fall of communism. He died in his adopted home of Switzerland in 1996 aged 82.
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Top Tracks

  1.   Track
    Popularity
  2.   Schumann: Genoveva Overture, Op. 81 featuring Robert Schumann
  3.   Concerto for Orchestra Sz116: I. Introduzione (Andante non troppo - Allegro vivace) by Rafael Kubelík
  4.   Concerto for Orchestra, Sz. 116: V. Finale. Pesante - Presto
  5.   Concerto for Orchestra, Sz. 116: IV. Intermezzo interrotto. Allegretto
  6.   Concerto for Orchestra, Sz. 116: III. Elegia. Andante non troppo
  7.   Concerto for Orchestra, Sz. 116: I. Introduzione. Andante non troppo - Allegro vivace
  8.   Verdi: Rigoletto / Act 1 - "Questa o quella" (Ballata) (Duca) featuring Rafael Kubelík
  9.   Brahms: Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90 - 2. Andante featuring Rafael Kubelík
  10.   Serenade in D, K.250 "Haffner": 8. Adagio - Allegro assai featuring Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
  11.   A. Honegger - Symphonie No. 2 pour cordes et trompettes - Vivace non troppo featuring Rafael Kubelík
  12.   Dvořák: Serenade For Strings In E Major, Op. 22, B.52 - 3. Scherzo (Vivace) by English Chamber Orchestra
  13.   Weber: Der Freischütz, J. 277 / Act 3 - "Wir winden dir den Jungfernkranz" by Rafael Kubelík
  14.   Brahms: Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98 - 2. Andante moderato featuring Rafael Kubelík
  15.   Weber: Der Freischütz, J. 277 / Act 3 - "Einst träumte meiner sel'gen Base ...Nun muß ich aber" by Rafael Kubelík
  16.   Serenade in D, K.250 "Haffner": 1. Allegro maestoso - Allegro molto featuring Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
  17.   Brahms: Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98 - 1. Allegro non troppo featuring Rafael Kubelík
  18.   Weber: Der Freischütz, J. 277 / Act 3 - "Und ob die Wolke sie verhülle ... Ännchen" featuring Rafael Kubelík
  19.   Serenade in D, K.250 "Haffner": 3. Menuetto featuring Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
  20.   Brahms: Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90 - 4. Allegro featuring Rafael Kubelík
  21.   Weber: Der Freischütz, J. 277 / Act 3 - Entr'acte ... "Hast du noch von den Glückskugeln?" featuring Rafael Kubelík
  22.   Weber: Der Freischütz, J. 277 / Act 3 - "Wer legt auf ihn so strengen Bann?" featuring Rafael Kubelík
  23.   Weber: Der Freischütz, J. 277 / Act 3 - "Nur du kannst dieses Rätsel lösen" featuring Rafael Kubelík
  24.   Brahms: Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90 - 3. Poco allegretto featuring Rafael Kubelík
  25.   Weber: Der Freischütz, J. 277 / Act 3 - "Schaut, o schaut! Er traf die eigne Braut!" featuring Rafael Kubelík
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