Dissertation - International Bass Clarinet Research Center

Josef found this contemporary music scene intoxicating. In response to his
experiences in Darmstadt, he formed his own new music ensemble in 1961. It was called
Musica Nova and consisted of flute, bass clarinet, piano or cembalo, and percussion.
Stockhausen, whom he had met in Darmstadt, gave the group permission to perform his
work Kreuzspiel. On June 21, 1961 this became the first work of Stockhausen’s to be
performed in the former Czechoslovakia. Stockhausen was very excited to have the piece
premiered there and later wrote to Josef stating, “I thank you and your courageous
colleagues – one performance behind the iron curtain is for me more valuable than three
repeat performances in Paris…” 10
While the piece was well received by the audience, the Communist government
was displeased with the performance. The government was not always supportive of new
compositions and the repercussions after the concert indicated this was the case. The
critic who reviewed the concert was not allowed to contribute to the media again for a
year, and Josef himself was forbidden to leave the country to travel west with the
Philharmonic. This was the catalyst that prompted him to leave Brno in 1963 and move
to Prague to join the Vinohrady Theater Orchestra. Brno was a small city where his
actions were easily watched and closely monitored. More options were available to him
in a larger city. In addition, Josef’s growing demand as a solo bass clarinetist and his
increasing number of recitals did not allow enough time for him to continue working with
the Philharmonic. 11
Upon his move to Prague, he found musicians eager to perform new
works and quickly established another new music group called Sonatori di Praga for the
10 Zapletal, 2.
11 Josef Horák, “The Course of the Bass Clarinet to a Solo Instrument and the Problems
with it,” The Clarinet 4, no. 2 (1977): 25.
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