Václav Trojan (1907–83) studied organ and conducting at the Prague Conservatoire, composition with Jaroslav Křička and later in composition masterclasses with Vítězslav Novák. Over the course of his career Trojan worked in theatre and film and also wrote many works for children which influenced his compositional style. He wrote modern and yet accessible music, distinguished by its melodic invention, humour and convincing lyrics. Trojan is the author of the enchanting children’s opera “Kolotoč” (Merry-go-round) and the music for the puppet film by the brilliant Czech film-maker Jiří Trnka.

And when composing works for accordion and orchestra, Trojan has remained in the fairy tale world. The Concert Suite „Fairy Tales” for accordion and orchestra was created when rearranging original scenes for accordion and orchestra from the music for the puppet film “Kuťásek und Kutilka”. The seven-movement Suite from 1959 is thereby a kind of journey into a fairy-tale world with well-known figures – a sad princess, a brave knight and an evil dragon – but also a magic box, a mischievous merry-go-round, a sailor and his accordion, plus clowns.

The whole suite is happy and playful, and also in his work with motifs, harmony and rhythm, the composer relies to a certain extent on playfulness. This is shown, for example, in the harmony, when the use of layers sometimes leads to dissonances. In the orchestral accompaniment, individual instruments or complete groups of instruments are alternated according to the kind of movement. The piano and the percussion form an interesting colour component of the orchestra, in which glockenspiel and celeste also appear. The result is a colourful richness of sound which complements the exotic sound of the accordion in a classical orchestra. As a rule, the solo accordion contrasts with the orchestral sound, as it is really soloistically conceived and the writing always contains contrasting rhythmic and melodic material.

Overall, the Suite captivates through its dance-like and lyrical tone; the fourth movement impresses through its fugato-like treatment of the motif, whilst in other places, layers and cus are used. The Suite is dedicated to the Czech accordionist Milan Bláha, winner of many competitions and teacher at the Prague Conservatoire. Trojan’s Märchen has been one of the most rewarding pieces in the accordion repertoire for several decades. In it, the soloist demonstrates not only their musicality, but also their virtuoso ability.

Eva Velická
(translation: Elizabeth Robinson / from [t]akte 2/2024)