The song “Modlitba” (Prayer), featured in the 2016 Czech holiday film Angel of the Lord 2 (Angel of the Lord 2), represents a distinct musical work created specifically for the motion picture. Composed by Ondřej Gregor Brzobohatý with lyrics by the Slovak poet Ľubomír Feldek, the track gained prominence for its role during the film’s closing credits and its subsequent adoption by various children’s choirs and gospel ensembles.
Origin and Production of the Film Song
Unlike the 1968 “Modlitba pro Martu,” which draws on the 17th-century writing of Jan Amos Komenský, the 2016 “Modlitba” was an original commission for director Jiří Strach’s film. Brzobohatý composed the music and collaborated with Feldek, a longtime friend of his father, actor Radek Brzobohatý, to write the lyrics in Czech. Director Jiří Strach intentionally placed the song at the very end of the film, encouraging audiences to remain in theaters through the final credits to experience the track’s impact. To further the song’s reach, Strach produced a minimalist music video featuring singer Vojtěch Dyk performing the piece in a winter setting.
Cultural Adoption and Performance History
Following the film’s release, the composition found a steady place in the repertoire of Czech musical groups. Children’s choirs, in particular, frequently included the song in their performances during the years following the film’s debut. The track has also been adapted for orchestral arrangements and performed by operatic vocalists, demonstrating its versatility beyond the original film soundtrack. While the song initially enjoyed widespread popularity, its public performances have become less frequent in recent years, leading some observers to note its absence in contemporary digital discourse.
Key Details of the Composition
- Composer: Ondrej Gregor Brzobohaty
- Lyricist: Lubomír Feldek
- Primary Performer: Vojtech Dyk
- Debut Film: Angel of the Lord 2 (2016)
- Genre: Contemporary Czech film music/ballad
Comparison with Historical Context
It is important to distinguish this 2016 composition from “Modlitba pro Martu.” While the titles share a common theme, the 1968 song is rooted in the 19th chapter of Komenský’s The business of the dying mother of the Unity of the Brethren (The Testament of the Dying Mother, the Unity of the Brethren), written in 1650. The modern “Modlitba” from Angel of the Lord 2 serves as an independent artistic work, designed specifically to complement the narrative arc of the 2016 film rather than serve as a political or historical manifesto.
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