A much-needed guide for singers, vocal coaches, voice teachers, collaborative pianists, and opera and choral conductors. Practical and authoritative, Part One of this pioneering book takes the reader systematically through each sound of the Czech language, enhanced by a recording of native Czech opera singers. The formation of each sound is described, and when useful, compared to English, the Romance languages, German, and Russian. Every sound is assigned an IPA symbol, along with exercises and examples, always with the technical and expressive considerations of the singing voice in mind. Chapters cover the Czech vowels; consonants; rules of assimilation; approaches to singing double consonants; stress and length; Moravian dialect; and an introduction to singing in Slovak. Part Two presents a thorough overview of Czech vocal repertoire, along with the texts to major song literature and opera excerpts by Smetana, Dvorak, Janacek, Martinu, and Haas, with timings, editions, word-for-word translations, idiomatic translations, and IPA transcriptions. Specific works have been chosen for every voice type, and for every level. Even a work ideal for an Opera Workshop scenes program has been selected. Useful appendices list publishers, organizations, and Czech poets.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
With the publication of this volume, Cheek sets a new and very welcome high standard for teaching lyric diction. His work is thoroughly grounded in scholarly research as well as in performance practice. Every detail of presentation needed by the professional singer is provided in a tightly organized progression of concepts, without ever sacrificing the language as a whole...This landmark work should open Czech vocal literature to many more singers. It is a wonderful addition to the current arsenal of singers' tools, and belongs in libraries where vocal performance studies emphasize preprofessional training. (Notes )
The wealth of information offered by this book is staggering. In addition to the excellent instruction in Czech lyric diction, Cheek offers an informative and extremely well-researched survey of the Czech repertoire...The clarity and thoroughness of this book will encourage more English speakers to sing in Czech. (Nats Journal Of Singing )
It is a delight to read...Anybody who has anything to do with the Czech vocal repetoire will find it a stimulating and very rewarding read. (Czech Music )
How fortunate that Cheek (Univ. of Michigan) has transformed his considerable study and experience into a carefully considered guide for those who want to know this music more truly...Very helpful appendixes...relevant general, pronunciation, repertoire, and composer resources. This is an extremely important contribution to the literature. Music students and scholars attempting the language will start here. (Choice )
...easy to understand...Because of the book's functional organization it can easily be used as a quick reference for the most problematic of situations...This book is completely practical right down to its appendices...The accompanying CD is very useful for hearing and imitating the sounds being produced...a must-have for any singer who is interested in broadening his or her scope of repertoire, in sharpening his already acquired skills, or in promoting Czech music. A huge THANK-YOU goes to Timothy Cheek for writing this book. (Czech Music )
Timothy Cheek's wonderful Singing in Czech was of great help in preparing Leos Janácek's delightful Príhody lisky Bystrousky (The Cunning Little Vixen) at Lyric Opera of Chicago. Too often a masterpiece such as this will lay unperformed—and therefore unappreciated by audiences—solely because of the challenges presented to English-speaking artists by a Czech score. I'm hopeful Tim's diligent work—presentation of the text, followed by IPA pronunciation guide and dual translations (literal and idiomatic)—can make these works more accessible to performers and audiences alike. (Sir Andrew Davis )
Timothy Cheek's great service has been to provide a fully comprehensive guide to singing in the Czech language....What is more, a CD, linked to the text, gives perfect examples of singing the many sounds encompassed by the book. (Czech Music )
I cannot imagine the subject being better treated. It's not often that one gets such a balance of practical common sense and theoretical underpinning. What I particularly liked was the wonderful blend of knowledge, experience, precision and enthusiasm. I was fascinated by the discussion of the various pronunciation possibilities and the occasions when one can be more appropriate by than another. What will be particularly useful to experienced singers will be the constant comparisons with other languages, and the many practical suggestions for ways of overcoming problems particular to Czech. This is clearly the work of a born teacher with considerable experience in coaching singers new to the Czech language. It is very clearly expressed and so organized that somebody seeking guidance on a particular point will be able to find it without difficulty. The supplementary sections of the book are equally well judged and will be invaluable in providing good basic information about Czech song literature (what there is and how to track it down). Altogether this is outstanding achievement. (John Tyrrell )
For singers, coaches, and conductors, this book is a godsend. When I think of the repertoire I could have programmed if such a reference had existed all these years! But never mind--it exists now, and we are all the luckier for it. Here is everything you need to dare to sing (and play) in this beautiful language, and clearly presented by an experienced, caring teacher. No one involved in vocal music can afford to be without it. (Martin Katz )
I hope this book will be studied by every singer and repetiteur who cares about language and who regards Czech, with its rich musical repertoire, as important as Italian, German, French, or Russian. (Sir Charles Mackerras )
At a time when the great Czech masterpieces are moving more and more into mainstream life, along comes an invaluable guide to singing authentically and expressively in this unfamiliar language. Timothy Cheek seems to have tapped into the singer's deepest needs and fears when first faced with these daunting sounds. He demystifies the difficulties and clearly shows the way to linking what we already know, from other more familiar languages, to what we can hope to achieve by assimilating the unique colors of this highly expressive language. I am grateful for his usage of the International Phonetic Alphabet to demonstrate many of these sounds. The recorded examples by the two Czech singers are also very welcome. This book will make the learning of sung Czech much more accessible and enjoyable to all singers.
Whew! This is the source for Czech diction. (The Diction Domain )
A very comprehensive volume, invaluable for any non Czech speaker wishing to pronounce Czech for the purpose of singing. (Kosmas )
The wealth of information offered by this book is staggering. In addition to the excellent instruction in Czech lyric diction, Cheek offers an informative and extremely well-researched survey of the Czech repertoire...The clarity and thoroughness of this book will encourage more English speakers to sing in Czech. (Nats Journal Of Singing )
It is a delight to read...Anybody who has anything to do with the Czech vocal repetoire will find it a stimulating and very rewarding read. (Czech Music )
How fortunate that Cheek (Univ. of Michigan) has transformed his considerable study and experience into a carefully considered guide for those who want to know this music more truly...Very helpful appendixes...relevant general, pronunciation, repertoire, and composer resources. This is an extremely important contribution to the literature. Music students and scholars attempting the language will start here. (Choice )
...easy to understand...Because of the book's functional organization it can easily be used as a quick reference for the most problematic of situations...This book is completely practical right down to its appendices...The accompanying CD is very useful for hearing and imitating the sounds being produced...a must-have for any singer who is interested in broadening his or her scope of repertoire, in sharpening his already acquired skills, or in promoting Czech music. A huge THANK-YOU goes to Timothy Cheek for writing this book. (Czech Music )
Timothy Cheek's wonderful Singing in Czech was of great help in preparing Leos Janácek's delightful Príhody lisky Bystrousky (The Cunning Little Vixen) at Lyric Opera of Chicago. Too often a masterpiece such as this will lay unperformed—and therefore unappreciated by audiences—solely because of the challenges presented to English-speaking artists by a Czech score. I'm hopeful Tim's diligent work—presentation of the text, followed by IPA pronunciation guide and dual translations (literal and idiomatic)—can make these works more accessible to performers and audiences alike. (Sir Andrew Davis )
Timothy Cheek's great service has been to provide a fully comprehensive guide to singing in the Czech language....What is more, a CD, linked to the text, gives perfect examples of singing the many sounds encompassed by the book. (Czech Music )
I cannot imagine the subject being better treated. It's not often that one gets such a balance of practical common sense and theoretical underpinning. What I particularly liked was the wonderful blend of knowledge, experience, precision and enthusiasm. I was fascinated by the discussion of the various pronunciation possibilities and the occasions when one can be more appropriate by than another. What will be particularly useful to experienced singers will be the constant comparisons with other languages, and the many practical suggestions for ways of overcoming problems particular to Czech. This is clearly the work of a born teacher with considerable experience in coaching singers new to the Czech language. It is very clearly expressed and so organized that somebody seeking guidance on a particular point will be able to find it without difficulty. The supplementary sections of the book are equally well judged and will be invaluable in providing good basic information about Czech song literature (what there is and how to track it down). Altogether this is outstanding achievement. (John Tyrrell )
For singers, coaches, and conductors, this book is a godsend. When I think of the repertoire I could have programmed if such a reference had existed all these years! But never mind--it exists now, and we are all the luckier for it. Here is everything you need to dare to sing (and play) in this beautiful language, and clearly presented by an experienced, caring teacher. No one involved in vocal music can afford to be without it. (Martin Katz )
I hope this book will be studied by every singer and repetiteur who cares about language and who regards Czech, with its rich musical repertoire, as important as Italian, German, French, or Russian. (Sir Charles Mackerras )
At a time when the great Czech masterpieces are moving more and more into mainstream life, along comes an invaluable guide to singing authentically and expressively in this unfamiliar language. Timothy Cheek seems to have tapped into the singer's deepest needs and fears when first faced with these daunting sounds. He demystifies the difficulties and clearly shows the way to linking what we already know, from other more familiar languages, to what we can hope to achieve by assimilating the unique colors of this highly expressive language. I am grateful for his usage of the International Phonetic Alphabet to demonstrate many of these sounds. The recorded examples by the two Czech singers are also very welcome. This book will make the learning of sung Czech much more accessible and enjoyable to all singers.
Whew! This is the source for Czech diction. (The Diction Domain )
A very comprehensive volume, invaluable for any non Czech speaker wishing to pronounce Czech for the purpose of singing. (Kosmas )
About the Author
Timothy Cheek is Associate Professor of Performing Arts, Vocal Arts at the University of Michigan.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Godsend,
By A Customer
This review is from: Singing in Czech (Hardcover)
From Catherine Malfitano, soprano; international interpreter of Janacek roles: "At a time when the great Czech masterpieces are moving more and more into mianstream life, along comes an invaluable guide to singing authentically and expressively in this unfamiliar language. Timothy Cheek seems to have tapped into the singer's deepest needs and fears when first faced with these daunting sounds. He demystifies the difficulties and clearly shows the way to linking what we already know, from other more familiar languages, to what we can hope to achieve by assimilating the unique colors of this highly expressive language. I am grateful for his usage of the International Phonetic Alphabet to demonstrate many of these sounds. The recorded examples by the two Czech singers are also very welcome. This book will make the learning of sung Czech much more accessible and enjoyable to all singers."
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Czech with Cheek,
By A Customer
This review is from: Singing in Czech (Hardcover)
"I recommend Timothy Cheek's book 'Singing in Czech' to anyone interested in singing the works of Smetana, Dvorak, Janacek, and a host of other Czech composers in the original language. After very thorough descriptions of every sound found in the Czech language, Mr. Cheek analyses and gives phonetic representations of the correct sounds in Czech of many famous works, including 'Rusalka,' 'The Bartered Bride,' 'The Diary of One Who Vanished,' and many others. I hope the book will be sutdied by every singer and repetiteur who cares about language and who regards Czech, with its rich musical repertoire, as important as Italian, German, French, or Russian." Sir Charles Mackerras, renowned conductor and writer of the foreword
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Czech with Cheek,
By A Customer
This review is from: Singing in Czech (Hardcover)
Conductor Sir Charles Mackerras, writer of the foreword: "I recommend Timothy Cheek's book "Singing in Czech" to anyone interested in singing the works of Smetana, Dvorak, Janacek and a host of other Czech composers in the original language. After very thorough descriptions of every sound found in the Czech language, Mr. Cheek analyses and gives phonetic representations of the correct sounds in Czech of many famous works, including "Rusalka," "The Bartered Bride," "The Diary of One Who Vanished" and many others. I hope the book will be studied by every singer and repetiteur who cares about language and who regards Czech, with its rich musical repertoire, as important as Italian, German, French, or Russian."Martin Katz, international collaborative pianist: "Dr. Cheek has had years of experience teaching diction, and he has mastered the art of finding accessible, meaningful, articulate and often entertaining ways to assist students produce correct sounds. Not content to stop with simply competent pronunciation, he always travels further, giving diction the purpose it was intended to have: communication and expression. As I read these pages, I find what I expected to be daunting emerges much simpler and more invitingly than I expected. I am thus encouraged to continue, to practice, and eventually to apply to a piece of music all that I have learned from this book. I can think of no other repertoire that is so consistently neglected and yet so important as that in the Czech language. I look forward to assigning things never attempted before." Dr. John Tyrrell, Editor of "The New Groves Dictionary of Music and Musicians;" author of "Czech Opera:" "I cannot imagine the subject being better treated. It's not often that one gets such a balance of practical common sense and theoretical underpinning. What I particularly liked was the wonderful blend of knowledge, experience, precision and enthusiasm. I was fascinated by the discussion of the various pronunciation possibilities and the occasions when one might be more appropriate than another. What will be particularly useful to experienced singers will be the constant comparisions with other languages, and the many practical suggestions for ways of overcoming problems particular to Czech. This is clearly the work of a born teacher with considerable experience in coaching singers new to the Czech language. It is very clearly expressed and so well organized that someone seeking guidance on a particular point will be able to find it without difficulty. The supplementary sections of the book are equally well judged and will be invaluable in providing good basic information about Czech song literature (what there is and how to track it down). Altogether this is an outstanding achievement."
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