Compliment Pavel Stanek

The Czech composer Pavel Stanék was born in Prague in 1927. He also studied there at the Conservatory until 1950 and was the choir director of the folklore ensemble from 1950 to 1954. As part of his military service, he took over the leadership of the Central Wind Orchestra of the Ministry of the Interior and remained there as artistic director and conductor for almost six years. From 1961 to 1963, Pavel Stanék was the conductor at the operetta theatre "Na Fidlovacce" in Prague, and from 1963 he became the head of the radio orchestra in Ostrava, a position he held until 1990. During this time and beyond, he also worked as a guest conductor with many orchestras. As a composer, he has uniquely shaped wind music with his distinctive compositions. He was often inspired by the folklore of his homeland.

Stanék masterfully combines tradition and modernity in his music. For example, although the march is a very traditional musical form, Stanék enriches it with modern, witty elements, creating his cheerful concert march Compliment. The manuscript's title header read "Mein Kompliment an M.B.," but who M.B. is, only Pavel Stanék knows. However, it must be someone whom the composer highly respects and associates with positive memories, as he likely wouldn't have composed such a charming musical compliment otherwise.


Release date: 2024 / 2010