Melody

In 1892 Josef Suk (1874-1935), a mere 18 years of age, contributed his piece Melody to a collection of simple works for Violin (for two, three or four Violins, and for Violin with Piano accompaniment) called The Young Violinist, published by the Prague-based firm Jos. R. Vilimek (several books issued per year).

This short, charming and technically undemanding piece for young violinists, which is possibly more familiar to Czech audiences in arrangements for other combinations of instruments (Violin and Piano or solo Piano), was published once again in its original version for two Violins to mark the 70th anniversary of Suk's death(2005).

The whereabouts of the autograph of this work is unknown; the editor of the new edition, Zdenek Nouza, based his revisions on the original, carefully prepared edition from 1892. The bowings are Suk's own (he was an excellent violinist), but no fingerings have been added, since the piece can be played by violinists of varying technical proficiency; first position alone would suffice, however, a fuller, richer sound would be gained with greater mastery of the instrument.