Score on sale for € 20.- Instr. parts (pdf) for € 40.-
The purpose for which the Small Overture (Malá předehra) was written
remains unknown. The manuscript has no title, and the only indication are
the words prepare the curtain!" at the end of the music, which of course imply
a theatrical production.
In the mid 1920s Burian was active in the Prague theatrical world. He was
involved in the Entfesselte Theater (also known as the Liberated Theater)
founded by Ji?í Frejka in1925. In March 1927 he moved to the newly founded
Theater Dada, together with Frejka himself, the actress Lola S. and several
others. The Theater Dada, however, was to enjoy only a short existence.
For which of the two establishments the Small Overture was written,
therefore remains uncertain.
Frejka became artistic director of the Prague National Theater in 1930, while
Burian founded his own politically engaged theater, called D-34, in 1933. The
‘Entfesselte Theater’ remained active throughout this period; Erwin Schulhoff
played the piano there regularly from 1933-1935.
The Ebony Band made a cd recording of this work on 3 December 2012
(Around Prague 1922-1937, Channel Classics, CCS 34813).
The individual parts of the Small Overture are available as PDF files.