General information
Title CZŠpalíček [auth.], 2. verze
Subtitle CZbalet se zpěvem o 3 dějstvích
Title ENThe Chap-Book, 2nd version
Subtitle ENballet with singing in 3 acts
Title DEŠpalíček, 2. Version
Subtitle DEBallett mit Gesang in drei Aufzügen
CategoryStage Works and Film Music
SubcategoryBallets
Halbreich number214 II
Author of lyrics/libretto - Lidový text, Folk lyrics
Martinů, Bohuslav
Parts of the composition (movements)1st ACT: Prolog; Overture. Tableau I: Hra na "pannu"; Hra na hastrmana; Hra na vlčka; Kohoutek a slepička. Tableau II: Pohádka o kocourovi v botách.
2nd ACT: Pohádka o ševci a kouzelní mošně.
3rd ACT: Tableau I: Legenda o sv. Dorotě. Tableau II: Vynášení smrti. Tableau III: Pohádka o Popelce (Ples na zámku). Tableau IV: Náves. Hra na zlatou bránu. Tanec dam. Tanec venkovských děvčat. Kolo děvčat se rozestoupne a objeví se Popelka. Česká svatba. Loučení nevěsty a cesta k ženichovi.
Durata102'
Instruments3222-4231-Timp-Batt-Pf-Archi; Coro femminile (nebo/or Coro voci bianche)
Solo voiceS T B
Origin
Place of compositionParis
Year of origin1940
Initiation of composition02/1940
Completion of composition26.05.1940
First performance
Performer Jirsíková, Nina
Kašlík, Václav
Svoboda, Josef
Date of the first performance02.04.1949
Location of the first performancePrague, National Theatre
Note on the first performanceVáclav Kašlík (cond.), Josef Svoboda (stage design), Nina Jirsíková (direction and choreography)
Ensemble Národní divadlo v Praze
Autograph deposition
Owner of the sourceCentrum Bohuslava Martinů v Poličce
Note on the autograph depostitionAutograph deposited under the call number PBM Ac 137 contains also autograph score of St. Dorota Legend from 1931.
Copyright
CopyrightDilia – Divadelní a literární agentura
Purchase linkbuy
First edition
PublisherDilia – Divadelní a literární agentura
Place of issuePraha
Year of publication1956
Editions available at the BM Institute

Call number at the BM Institute: 1276
Specification of the edition: Typescript copy of choir "Vynášení smrti"
Details of this edition
Orbis, Prague, 1951
Call number at the BM Institute: 1179a KV, 1179
Specification of the edition: 1st edition - piano reduction
Details of this edition
Dilia – Divadelní a literární agentura, Prague, 1956
Call number at the BM Institute: 1331, 1312
Specification of the edition: 1st edition - large score
Details of this edition
Dilia – Divadelní a literární agentura, Prague, 2015
Call number at the BM Institute: 1331 arr
Specification of the edition: Arrangement for voices, choir and two pianos + score + parts
Details of this edition
Sources
References Related writings
Related images
Documents in the Library
Note Second version of Špalíček.
First version was composed between 1931-1932, see H 214 I.
Lyrics (Czech) by Bohuslav Martinů after the folk legends, fairy tales, songs and rhymes.
Modified and rearranged for large orchestra (with an exception of the St. Dorota Legend).
Piano reduction by Karel Šolc published by Orbis, Prague 1951.
About the composition

Around the beginning of 1940, Martinů seems to have decided that Špalíček needed revising. He confides in a letter sent to Miloš Šafránek on 15 February 1940 that he would like some of his theatre pieces to be played in the USA, suggesting that Špalíček might be his best bet, but observing that the ballet would have to be reworked into a more “integrated form”. Two of the most radical changes were the shortening of The Legend of Saint Dorothea and the removal altogether of The Spectre’s Bride. The revised version had to wait until several years after the War for its premiere, which was given at the Prague National Theatre on 2 April 1949 under the baton of Václav Kašlík. For more information, see H 214 I.

Paul Wingfield, The Bohuslav Martinů Complete Edition: Field Mass, H 279, The Spectre’s Bride, H 214 I A, series VI/2/2, Prague: Bärenreiter, 2019.

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