Martinů - Complete Piano Works Nos.1-3 (Giorgio Koukl)

Complete piano works (7 CDs) of Bohuslav Martinů by Giorgio Koukl (born 1953, Prague, Czechoslovakia), pianist and harpsichordist who lives in Lugano in southern Switzerland. This performance is marked by rhythmic precision, meticulous voicing, and a clean, clear sound that is distinct and audible. Koukl deftly switches between the extremely varied demands of the pieces, from the more virtuosic to the charming character pieces. This complete survey is highly recommended not only for fans of Martinů's music, but also for those who appreciate superb solo piano playing.

MP1
                                                   

Dussek - Piano Sonatas

Jan Ladislav Dusík (Dussek), Czech composer and pianist (1760-1812), was one of the first piano virtuosos to travel widely throughout Europe. He performed at courts and concert venues from London to Saint Petersburg to Milan, and was celebrated for his technical prowess. During a nearly ten-year stay in London, he was instrumental in extending the size of the pianoforte. He was an important representative of Czech music abroad in the second half of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century. Some of his more forward-looking piano works have traits often associated with Romanticism. This recording of large amount of his piano sonatas is performed by Frederick Marvin.

DPS

Suk - Piano Works

Josef Suk (1874–1935) was a Czech composer of late romantic and early modernist era. He was also violinist. Suk also wrote for the piano, an instrument that he himself had played since childhood. These compositions are generally of a more intimate and personal nature, and they include music for his son. This 2 CD setof piano works  (Piano Works 1 & 2) is performed by Margaret Fingerhut.

SPW

Dušek - Piano Concertos

František Xaver Dušek (1731–1799) was a Czech composer and one of the most important harpsichordists and pianists of his time. Dušek composed sonatas, variations and concertos for harpsichord and piano and several symphonies and string quartets. Much of his music is in the galant style of the early Classical period. His piano concertos on this album are perfomed by Karel Kosárek and Prague Chamber Orchestra. It is world premiere recording.
Notice: Not to be confused with Jan Ladislav Dussek (Dusík). 

DFC

Kaprálová - Portrait of the composer

Vítězslava Kaprálová (1915-1940) was a Czech composer and conductor. Among her teachers were some of the best European composers and conductors of the time Bohuslav Martinů, Václav Talich and Charles Munch. Despite her untimely death from tuberculosis in 1940, Kaprálová created an impressive body of work. There is no doubt that had she lived she would have become one of the most important women composers in Europe.

KPC

Kabeláč - Symphony No.8, Metamorphoses II

The music of Miloslav Kabeláč is characterised by his own extraordinary artificial tone-creative principles. His musical expression makes use of elements of exclamation, rhythmic shouts, monotonous and exalted invocations, mysterious, magical and symbolic meanings. The basic ideas of Kabeláč’s works is namely an emphatic warning against the danger of a decline of all positive values of humanity in context of the historical situation at the time of the origin of main works (World War II, communist regime in our country and the Soviet occupation of Czechia in 1968). Typical orchestration and and favourite instrumentation: symphonic orchestra, percussion ensemble, organ, piano, mixed choir, solo vocals. Performers Václav Neumann (conductor), Prague Percussion Ensemble, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Václav Rabas (organ), František Maxián (piano), Jana Jonášová (soprano).

K8M

Janáček - Moravian Folk Poetry In Songs

Czech composer Leoš Janáček devoted a lot of his time and ink on folk songs. This album, "Moravian Folk Poetry In Songs" is a little bit of his work (about 300 songs). Singers Eva Štruplová and Stanislav Předota took the right fair voice to execute those both profound and so light songs accompanied by Adam Skoumal at the piano. While listening to this album, we are travelling through these ageless lights and true emotions of every folk in every day.

JMP

Dusík - Piano Concertos

Jan Ladislav Dussek (Dusík) - Piano Concertos  by Andreas Steier and Concerto Koeln. Jan Ladislav Dussek, baptized Václav Jan Dusík (1760-1812) was a Czech composer and pianist of classical era. He was an important representative of Czech music abroad in the second half of 18th century and the beginning of 19th century. In some of his piano writing, Dussek anticipated features of musical romanticism. Dussek was one of the first piano virtuosos to travel widely throughout Europe.

DPC

Janáček - Pièces pour Piano

Selection of piano works, including the cycles "On a overgrown path", "In the Mists" and Sonata 1.X., performed by French pianist Hélène Couvert.

JPP

Martinů - Sonata No.1 for piano, Études and Polkas, Sonata No.1 for flute and piano

Bohuslav Martinů - Sonata No.1 for piano, Études and Polkas Book I-III, Sonata No.1 for flute and piano (Radoslav Kvapil, Gunilla von Bahr, Kerstin Hindart)

MSP

Smetana - Piano Works Vol.1-3

Bedřich Smetana's piano works vol.1-3 in an outstanding performance by Czech pianist Jitka Čechová, continuing her systematic and heart-felt exploration of composer’s oeuvre. She is an energetic pianist and member of the highly successful Smetana Trio. On her collection of Smetana's piano works she proves how intimately familiar she is with the composer's style.

SBP