Leos Janacek’s Mladi (Youth) sextet was composed in 1924 and earned an award from the Czech Academy of Sciences. The work is based upon the composer’s memories of childhood, most particularly the third movement, March of the Blueboys, whose theme is a tune Janacek heard as a young child. Furthermore, many of Janacek’s compositions were composed in his youth, and due to his simultaneous work on an opera which revolves around a seemingly youthful ancient; as such, both works heavily feature themes on Janacek’s own youth as well as regeneration. Though the piece premiered unsuccessfully, largely due to two of the six players performing on defective instruments, the Czech Philharmonic performed the work one month later to widespread success.
