The 2016 song “Modlitba,” performed by Vojtěch Dyk, was composed by Ondřej Gregor Brzobohatý specifically for the film Anděl Páně 2. Unlike the 1968 “Modlitba pro Martu,” which draws on 17th-century texts by Jan Amos Komenský, this modern composition was a bespoke creation for the Christmas film. Brzobohatý approached the Slovak poet Ľubomír Feldek, a long-time friend of the composer’s father, actor Radek Brzobohatý. Feldek wrote the text directly in Czech, mirroring the bilingual songwriting approach once popularized by Miro Žbirka.
Cinematic Impact and the Director’s Vision
Director Jiří Strach utilized the song as a deliberate emotional anchor for the film’s conclusion. During the premiere, Strach encouraged audiences to remain in their seats through the end credits to hear Dyk’s performance. To further highlight the work, Strach produced a minimalist music video featuring Dyk performing the song against a bare concrete wall. The visual presentation—showing Dyk in a fur coat, discarding a cigarette, and singing in a close-up—was designed to evoke the feeling of a spontaneous, intimate prayer rather than a polished pop production.
Cultural Reception and Choral Adaptations
Following its release, the song gained traction within the Czech choral community, particularly among children’s ensembles. Pre-pandemic observations indicated that the piece appeared in the repertoire of youth choirs, often alongside traditional festive music. Beyond amateur choral settings, the composition has been integrated into performances by gospel groups and has seen arrangements for large orchestras featuring professional opera singers.
Commonly Asked Questions Regarding the Composition
Who wrote the lyrics for the 2016 “Modlitba”? The lyrics were written by the Slovak poet Ľubomír Feldek, who authored them directly in Czech for the film Anděl Páně 2. Is this song related to “Modlitba pro Martu”? No. While they share a title, the 2016 song is an original composition by Ondřej Gregor Brzobohatý, whereas “Modlitba pro Martu” (1968) is based on the 1650 work Kšaft umírající matky Jednoty bratrské by Jan Amos Komenský. What was the director’s intention with the music video? Director Jiří Strach aimed for a minimalist aesthetic, filming Dyk against a plain concrete wall to strip away artifice and frame the song as an intimate, personal moment of prayer. Has the song been performed by professional ensembles? Yes, the piece has been adapted for various formats, including gospel arrangements and large-scale orchestral performances involving professional opera singers.
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