Lovers of movie scores, do you want to revive your playlists with captivating singing, melody, and exceptional orchestration?
Famous Disney cartoon enthusiasts, would you like to experience stories of your favorite characters narrated by heldentenor? David Deyl, a Czech singer and composer, has just become Aladdin, Tarzan or the Hunchback of Notre Dame and released the Kúzelné melódie 2 – piesne zo svetových rozprávok (Magic Melodies 2 – Songs from the Famous Fairy Tales).
First, he paid tribute to Czech fairy-tale music. Then he continuously and consistently worked on well-known hits such as Děláni, Znám jednu starou zahradu, Jdu cestou necestou, and others. In the next project, he pushed the “bar” higher and focused on Disney production, which is even more spectacular.
“I would like everyone who listens to the album to feel the emotions I gave each song – love, hope, peace. Let everyone stop for a moment, return to nice memories, and perceive the beauty of fantasy.”
With the new album Magic Melodies 2, David offers the listener an experience of the precise sound and power of the orchestra. Specifically, the Symphony Orchestra of Czech Radio, with which he has collaborated several times. Similarly, he has worked well with Michal Worek, who is behind most of the piano parts and musical arrangements on the album. Natália Grossová and Lucia Bikárová featured in two duets.
“We wanted some songs to be the same as the original, which meant many hours of analyzing and listening to the original recording. It was an intensive work. I wanted to do my orchestration for other songs, such as Go the Distance from Hercules or You’ll Be in My Heart from Tarzan. These versions are original and, I would say, unique. The inventive sophistication of the score is tough to interpret.”
David mentioned that he was close to inner voices and countermelodies. In the case of a new album, the listener can fully hear what is happening in the orchestra during the song.
An essential element of the Magical Melodies was English. David used correct diction under the leadership of Joel Cameron Head. Magdaléna Hajóssyová, an experienced teacher at HAMU and soloist at the Berlin State Opera, took care of the vocal preparation.
As David says, he is a perfectionist, and even in this case, he was highly concerned with the details. “Especially when it comes to sound. I aimed for top quality for listeners using modern devices and those with cheaper ones. The same applies to headphones. I wanted each frequency to be pleasing to the ear, and the orchestra should have a full and rich sound.”
David’s original songs are romantic and sensitive. However, the Spanish songs will make you dance. Disney’s project brought a different aspect. “The emotions I put into each song are different than in my songs. I had to empathize with the characters. I lived through every beat and tried to preserve the essence of every single character and story.”
And who is the closest to the artist himself? “My soul is reflected in the song Out of There from The Hunchback of Notre Dame. And which Disney movie does he like to watch? “Definitely Beauty and the Beast. Especially the movie adaptation with Emma Watson as Belle.”
However, David probably enjoys nature and walks even more than a good film. “For example, the silence of the forest is very calming and helps me draw inspiration. But of course, music itself is therapy for me. When I play, I sing, I discover new ideas, but I also get the energy back.”
Text: Eva Vašková, foto: Viktor Odehnal, Lenka Kafková
