Martinů - Three Fragments and Suite From the Opera Juliette

Three Fragments and Suite From the Opera Juliette of Bohuslav Martinů, performed by Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by sir Charles Mackerras, with soloist Magdalena Kožená (mezzosoprano). Juliette is Martinu's operatic masterpiece and one of the most distinctive of all 20th-century operatic works. The plot is hallucinatory and wonderfully weird. Charles Mackerras delivers his usual outstanding results, the Czech Philharmonic plays amazingly, and the principal singers, especially Kožená and Davislim, sing beautifully. We still need a new recording of the complete opera, but until then this will do nicely. Essential for anyone who cares about 20th-century opera, or Martinů generally.

BOJ

Kabeláč - 2 Phantasies for organ, Preludes for piano, Suite for saxophone & piano, Sonata for cello & piano

Selection of compositions of Miloslav Kabeláč for organ and piano and chamber music with piano participation : Fantasies for organ in G minor and D minor (J.Hora), Op. 32 (1957–58), 8 preludes for piano (I.Kahánek), Op. 30 (1955–56), Suite for saxophone and piano, Op. 39 (1959) and Sonata for cello and piano.

KFS

Novák - Slovácká suita

Vítězslav Novák (December 5, 1870 – July 18, 1949) was one of the most well-respected Czech composers and pedagogues, almost singlehandedly founding a Czech 20th century  school of composition. Stylistically, he was a leading figure in the Neo-Romanticism movement, occasionally considered an early example of Czech modernism. Slovácká suita (Slovak suite) pro malý orchestr, op. 32 was composed in 1903.

NSS

Janáček - Lachian Dances, Suite for Strings, Idyll

Well known Leoš Janáček's orchestral works in unforgettable performances by František Jílek and Philharmonia Brno. 1995.Leoš Janáček (1854-1928) was a Czech composer, by Bohemian, Moravian and all Slavic folk music and on these roots created his original style. The greatest compositons are Sinfonietta, Glagolitic Mass, Taras Bulba and operas. Janáček is generally recognised as one of the most inimitable composers.

JLD