The Great Journey 1492

In his great fantasy "The Great Seafaring of 1492", Pavel Stanék impressively makes sound an important historical event, dedicating the piece to Filarmonia Sestrese (Italy) on the occasion of the Columbus Celebrations in 1992.

Spain in the Middle Ages: Christopher Columbus sets off for India. But instead he will discover America. Before departure, a medieval prayer sounds, a signal calls the people to the harbour, where the ships are loaded for the great journey. Finally they set sail, the waves swing around in 6/8 time, sometimes more powerful, sometimes milder. A calm finally makes the tension rise, because it announces the imminent violent storm. After the storm land is finally in sight and the sailors cheer full of joy. The prayer motif sounds, this time as thanksgiving for the happy arrival. The discovery of the New World is celebrated in the hymn of the finale.

Stanék does not historically trace exactly the world-shattering events of the year 1492, but develops his own dramaturgy, which results from the interplay of keys, movements and tempos, orchestral timbres and the inner musical tension curve.