On an Overgrown Path

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On an Overgrown Path (Po zarostlém chodníčku) is a collection of piano pieces written by Leoš Janáček for the piano. He wrote it before he became famous (at age 62). It memorializes the death of Janáček's much-love daughter Olga. The collection is broken into 2 parts. Janáček began preparing a series of Slovak folk melodies in 1901 and 1902. These melodies provided the basis for the first part of "On an Overgrown Path."

Contents 1 Book I 2 Book II 3 Usage in Popular Culture 4 Source

[edit] Book I

1. Naše večery - Our evenings
2. Lístek odvanutý - A blown-away leaf
3. Pojďte s námi! - Come with us!
4. Frýdecká panna Maria - The Madonna of Frydek
5. Štěbetaly laštovičky - They chattered like swallows
6. Nelze domluvit! - Words fail!
7. Dobrou noc! - Good night!
8. Tak neskonale úzko - Unutterable anguish!
9. V pláči - In tears
10. Sýček neodletěl! - The barn owl has not flown away!

[edit] Book II

    11.  Andante

    12.  Allegretto - Presto

    13.  a. Più mosso

           b. Vivo

           c. Allegro

[edit] Usage in Popular Culture

Some movements were used in the soundtrack for the movie version of The Unbearable Lightness of Being.

[edit] Source

Program notes by Dr. David Doughty for the two-CD album of Janáček's Piano Works (complete) played by Håkon Austbø (Brilliant Classics 92295)