Introducing Czech Dream: A New Album by Matyáš Novák

We’re excited to announce that Matyáš Novák is releasing his new album Czech Dream!
Out on December 14th!

Recorded in New York City last year, this album is especially meaningful to us — NU AVE ART is proud to have served as the executive producer of the project, and we are honored to represent Matyáš Novák in the United States.
The official album launch will take place on December 16 during his concert Magical Christmas with Matyáš Novák at the Petrof Gallery.
More info about the concert here.

Read more about Recording Day at Skillman Studio NYC.

The album will also be available on Apple Music, Spotify, and all major streaming platforms.

Artwork ©️ Peter Sís / The Three Golden Keys

Recorded at Skillman Music, New York on March 25, 2024

Executive production by Jana Krupkova / NU AVE ART

This CD is a unique artistic endeavor. The works it features do not exist in standard musical notation, making this recording a vital medium for preserving and sharing these compositions with future generations. The direct inspiration behind these pieces is the figure of Franz Liszt. In addition to his original compositions, Liszt created numerous transcriptions and paraphrases of works by his contemporaries and predecessors. I’ve always regretted that Liszt never transcribed or paraphrased any major works by Czech composers. Following in his footsteps, I decided to create several paraphrases and one transcription, drawing on the cornerstone works of Czech musical giants as well as the beauty of our folk traditions.

In a way, the COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in the creation of this CD. With live performances on pause, I launched a “by request” project on my Facebook page. One listener asked me to play Smetana’s Vltava, which is notoriously difficult to adapt for solo piano. I saved this challenge for last, and over the summer of 2020, I created a detailed transcription of this iconic piece. Unlike the earlier transcription by Jindřich Kàan z Albestů (1852–1926), which attempts to capture every orchestral detail and becomes nearly unplayable, my version is more merciful to the pianist. Like Liszt’s transcriptions, it adapts the music to be performable at appropriate tempos and with full expressive depth.

The Fantasy on Smetana’s The Bartered Bride followed a few months later, in the fall of 2020, and became my first Liszt-inspired paraphrase. Liszt’s influence is especially evident here. The piece features three beloved excerpts from the opera: the duet “I Know a Girl,” Mařenka’s aria “That Love Dream,” and the celebratory chorus “Let’s Rejoice.” The work is vibrant, virtuosic, and joyful — much like its famous model.

In spring 2021, I composed the Fantasy on Dvořák’s Rusalka. Here, Liszt’s stylistic imprint is subtler. The fantasy is emotionally intense, in line with its operatic source. Although the selected arias do not appear in the same order as in the opera, the fantasy loosely mirrors the dramatic arc of the story.

The Fantasy on Czech and Moravian Folk Songs is a tribute to the beautiful melodies that enchanted me in childhood, sung by my parents and grandparents. I included five songs: Beskyde, Beskyde, Okolo Hradce, Teče voda, teče, Černé oči, jděte spát, and Já jsem z Kutné Hory. Some are quoted in full, others only in fragments. The songs intertwine with one another, often shifting in style and mood. This fantasy is playful, witty, and radiant in spirit.

Throughout the composing process, I strived to create music that is accessible to those unfamiliar with classical music, while still offering depth and nuance for experienced listeners.

To everyone holding this CD: I wish you a wonderful listening experience!

— Matyáš Novák