FRANTISEK POSTA “I AM SINGING TYPE”
The Czech Philharmonic came to Urbana-Champaign in March 1984. They were playing an all-Dvorak program under Vaclav Neumann in the Midwest neck of their US tour. I was looking forward to hearing the orchestra play “live”. Also, I knew that a legendary bassist still played in their ranks. His name was Frantisek Posta. The orchestra was being put up in very modest accommodations at the Hotel Six in Urbana, Illinois. I could not drive so I asked my fiancee, Colleen, to drive me there. Colleen and I were both astounded that one of the world’s great orchestras would be put up in a Hotel Six. There we found several members of the Czech Philharmonic eagerly awaiting the trek they were about to make to the Urbana Super Walmart- just a one hour walk through an adjoining cornfield. They were planning on buying fine kitchen utensils to ship home to their families in Prague. Frantisek Posta was at the hotel too and one of the musicians went and got him. He was a gentle and unprepossessing man with a serious countenance. As we were going to attend the all Dvorak concert at the Krannert Center that evening, I asked if he could do a Master Class for my bass students at the University of Illinois. He gladly accepted. I was about to say thank you and goodbye when Colleen graciously invited him to lunch at the nearby Ground Round restaurant. Over several beers, he expounded about his life and musical philosophy. “I am singing type Joe!” he proclaimed. He then advised me to marry Colleen because, as he said, “she is beautiful- she loves you and helps you.”
The Dvorak concert was wonderful of course. Back in the mid 80’s it was a rare treat to hear the warm playing style of the Czech Philharmonic.
The next morning Mr. Posta did a wonderful master class. He pointed out “fine points” of musicianship to the students by impulsively grabbing which ever bass was nearby. Whatever bass he used, he always played superbly. Here is the calling card he left me.
In addition to playing principal in the Czech Philharmonic, he told me about the old music group he played in.
Recently, I purchased this beautiful solo recording for the Czech label.
Colleen snapped a picture of me with Posta at his room at the Urbana Hotel Six. Wish I had a haircut before!
My interaction with Frantisek was a result of my late wife’s involvement. Posta understood how special she was.
This is a postcard card that Frantisek sent me from Prague. He writes, “I have been happy with your class among you, Candy (my late wife) and all your groups”.
The other was to my supervisor at the U. of I. He graciously passed it on to me.
Frantisek Posta’s extraordinarily fine-tuned sensitivity as a musician carried over on to his understanding of people as well. He was an empathetic person- not only in his music making but in real life as well. I will never forget him!
Here is a youtube video of his performance of the Koussevitsky Concerto- done in the early 1970’s.
https://youtu.be/OWytOJcjpao?si=8XtYMGWcZoHxLBEt
This is Canzonetta by Vojta Kuchynka. This was taken from the Supraphone album I bought. It is a beautiful singing performance.’
https://youtu.be/susIow9Wodg?si=8zrXnsxy0RkrCI_W
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