Svítání—Czech for “dawn”—is an orchestral tone poem that explores the symbolic power of daybreak. Inspired by the sweeping drama and vivid storytelling of the great tone poems of Richard Strauss, this work opens with a suspenseful interplay between winds and piano, conjuring the stillness and uncertainty of night. The tension gradually builds, layer by layer, unfolding into an expansive and triumphant climax that evokes the first brilliant light of morning breaking through the darkness. While the piece paints the image of a sunrise, Svítání reaches beyond mere depiction. It is, at its heart, a meditation on resilience, hope, and renewal. In the face of uncertain and often challenging times, this piece stands as a reminder that even the longest night gives way to dawn. The rising sun becomes a metaphor for perseverance and the promise of new beginnings—an affirmation that light will return, and with it, the possibility for change, healing, and growth. With rich orchestral textures, emotional breadth, and an arc that moves from shadow to radiance, Svítání invites listeners on a journey not only through sound, but through the universal human experience of emerging from darkness into hope.
"Svítání (which means “dawn”) is highly pastoral...Its protagonist is having an epiphany, inviting curious listeners to assemble crucial sonic clues. A flourish of harp strings brings us into a new day (hence the title), where the mystery is sure to be solved. At the end, timpani signals victory, only to bring us back to where it all began — delicate strings and a single keyboard stroke.”
"Well timed keys in a sparse environment that builds into a lively landscape of booming drums and uplifting strings."