General information
Title CZToccata e due canzoni
Subtitle CZpro malý orchestr
Title ENToccata e due canzoni
Subtitle ENfor small orchestra
Title DEToccata e due canzoni
Subtitle DEfür kleines Orchester
Title FRToccata e due canzoni
Subtitle FRpour petit orchestre
CategoryOrchestral Music
SubcategoryWorks for Chamber or Small Orchestra
Halbreich number311
Parts of the composition (movements)1. Toccata: Allegro moderato; 2. Canzone No. 1: Andante moderato; 3. Canzone No. 2: Allegro (poco) - Adagio
Durata27'
Instruments1211-0100-Timp-Batt-Pf-Archi
Dedicatee Sacher, Paul
Basler Kammerorchester
Diplomatic transcription of the dedicationÀ Paul Sacher | et son Kammerorchestre de Bâle | pour le 20eme anniversaire. [1st title page] *** Dedicated to | Paul Sacher | and the Basel | Chamber Orchestra [2nd title page]
Note on the dedicationAutograph score contains two title pages.
Origin
Place of compositionNew York, NY
Place of composition 2Tanglewood, Massachusetts
Year of origin1946
Initiation of composition15.05.1946
Completion of composition03.10.1946
First performance
Performer Sacher, Paul
Date of the first performance21.01.1947
Location of the first performanceBasel, Switzerland
Ensemble Das Basler Kammerorchester
Basler Kammerorchester
Autograph deposition
Owner of the sourcePaul Sacher Stiftung
Note on the autograph depostitionReproduction of the autograph score and performing parts in a copyist's hand held by the Paul Sacher Stiftung as well.
Second set of period performing parts is located at the B&H Hire Library.
Copyright
CopyrightBoosey & Hawkes
Purchase linkbuy
First edition
PublisherBoosey & Hawkes
Place of issueLondýn
Year of publication1952
Editions available at the BM Institute
Boosey & Hawkes, London, London, 1984
Call number at the BM Institute: 1239 KP
Specification of the edition: Reprint of the 1st edition (1952) - pocket score
Details of this edition
Sources
References Related writings
Related images
Documents in the Library
Note First movement completed on 01.06.1946, second movement on 25.06.1946, third movement on 03.10.1946.
Title of the composition on the 1st title page of the autograph score: "Toccata et due canzoni"; on the 2nd title page: "Toccata et due canzoni".
About the composition

Toccata e due canzoni was commissioned by the Swiss conductor and benefactor Paul Sacher in October 1945 for the grand concert to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the first performance of his Basel Chamber Orchestra. The first two movements were composed by Martinů in New York: the Toccata from 15 May to 1 June 1946; the first Canzona was completed on 25 June. He began writing the second Canzona in Tanglewood in July, but his work was interrupted by the severe injury he suffered after falling of a terrace on 17 July, with lifelong consequences. He was only able to return to work in September  and finished the final bars of the composition in New York on 3 October 1946. The premiere took place on 21 January 1947, in the grand concert hall of the Stadtcasino Basel, at the third BKO concert of the season of 1946/1947, exactly 20 years after the orchestra’s first performance. The ensemble was supported on the occasion by musicians from the Basel Orchestra Society (Basler Orchestergesellschaft) and the pianist Karl Engel.

Marek Pechač.

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