This vigorous and charming overture was written in 1945. The work is made up
tunes from Czechoslovakia where Dr. Morawetz was born. Its name, which is
otherwise irrelevant, suggests something of the youthful fire, warm colour and
animation which informs every bar. The work is written in regular
three-part form, with a joyful and extended coda. Its rhythms have many Czech
elements, but there is no material in the work derived from folk songs. We hear first a most original rhythmic figure
in the brasses; the violins follow with a pervasive, even dominating second
motif which
later underlies a singing cello melody. Most interesting is the build-up to a
kind of double climax when a last tremendous burst of energy follows an
apparently quiet ending. The character of the composition throughout is gay.
Premièred in Montreal in 1946 by Sir Ernest MacMillan, Carnival Overture
is written in the harmonic language of the late 19th century. The work did not
get its title from the composer but from Sir Ernest himself: "It is a work which
has a tremendous rhythmic vitality and a most colourful orchestration; let's
call it 'Carnival Overture.' " The work has been performed by such distinguished
conductors as Sir Adrian Boult and Walter Susskind.
May 15, 1990. CKDU-FM (Halifax):
Morawetz
describes how Sir Ernest MacMillan christened the work and gave it its première.
The following article, containing additional background information about the
Carnival Overture was written by Oskar Morawetz for the Montreal
Symphony's concert program from October 1978.
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