Janáček
Dvořák: Symphonies No.7-9; Janáček: Taras Bulba (Le Palais des Dégustateurs)
Performances that rarely justify their re-release or price point [NB]
The Story of Janáček’s Jenůfa by Jiří Zahrádka (Moravské Zemské Muzeum)
A comprehensive, beautifully assembled and illustrated history of the genesis and first performances of one of the most performed operas in the world [JW]
Dvořák: Symphonies No.7-9; Janáček: Taras Bulba (Le Palais des Dégustateurs)
Performances from the 1980s full of febrile personality [JW]
Janáček’s Sinfonietta: Nigel Simeone & Jiří Zahrádka (Boydell Press)
A fascinating and highly informative guide to one of Janáček’s most famous works [DHa]
Janáček: The Makropulos Affair (SOMM Recordings)
A very fine and fitting centenary tribute to Sir Charles Mackerras [JQ]
Piotr Anderszewski at Carnegie Hall (Erato)
(Déjà Review) Something of a mixed bag for me [JW]
Janáček: The Makropulos Affair (SOMM Ariadne)
An invaluable release [DHa]
Talich Quartet: Gypsy Melodies (La Dolce Volta)
Songs from the Czech Lands, and points further East, seconded to the string quartet genre [JW]
Janáček: Hyperklavier (IBS Classical)
Good recordings of rare Janáček, marketed rather curiously [PRJ]
Janáček: Jenůfa (LSO Live)
Jealousy, pain, loss, stifling shame, ultimate redemption – another episode in the LSO’s Janáček odyssey [PH]
Janáček: String Quartet 1
by Alan George
Janáček: Jenufa (Erato)
(Déjà Review) A fine record of a great series of performances, particularly memorable for Karita Mattila in the title role and the playing of the Royal Opera House Orchestra [RH]
Janáček: Glagolitic Mass, Taras Bulba (Supraphon)
(Déjà Review) Resplendent digital remasterings of these classics of the gramophone [RB]
Berg, Janáček & Hartmann: Violin Concertos (Apex)
(Déjà Review) One of the stronger Warner Apex CDs. By all means buy it to play straight through and enjoy the stimulation of the juxtaposition of the music of these three composers [CC]
Dvořák: Symphonies No.6-9; Smetana: Má vlast; Janáček: Sinfonietta (LSO Live)
A fitting celebration of the Year of Czech Music and the silver jubilee of LSO Live [JQ]
Janáček: The Eternal Gospel & other orchestral works (Hyperion)
All Janáček fans should be acquiring this without delay as should those as yet unconverted [ED]
European Soundscapes (Convivium Records)
Peerless playing, crystal clear [SA]
Janáček: The Cunning Little Vixen (Arthaus Musik)
(Déjà Review) Mackerras conducts with love and understanding. The pacing is ideal, and the music’s lyrical intensity is experienced at every stage [TB]
Schulhoff, Debussy, Janáček, Antheil: Violin Sonatas (Genuin)
A wonderfully intelligent, interesting programme, superbly performed [NB]
Janáček: The Makropulos Case (Supraphon)
(Déjà Review) This has an unmistakably authentic feel about it [TH]
475 Jahre Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden (Profil)
Many first-class performances to celebrate the 475th anniversary of the Staatskapelle Dresden [MC]
Nocturne, et lumineux: Music for cello and piano (TRPTK)
Superb playing of music that needs to be better known [SG]
Janáček: Danube (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) An inspired rediscovery of three rarities [RBr]
Janáček: Káťa Kabanová (LSO Live)
A good cast and excellent sound are featured on Rattle’s challenge to the Mackerras hegemony [MP]
