Janáček - Complete Chamber & Orchestral Work

5 CD set of complete chamber and orchestral works of Leoš Janáček by various artists: Wiener Philharmoniker, Sir Charles Mackerras, London Philharmonic Orchestra, François Huybrechts, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Neville Marriner, Paul Crossley (piano), Gabrieli String Quartet, members of the London Sinfonietta, London Sinfonietta Chorus, Eva Urbanová (soprano), Marta Beňačková (mezzo-soprano),Vladimir Bogachov (tenor), Richard Novák (bass), Thomas Trotter (organ), Slovak Philharmonic Choir, Riccardo Chailly, Kenneth Sillito (violin).

JCW

Smetana - Orchestral Works

Three-disc set of Bedřich Smetana's orchestral works with Vladimir Válek leading the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra. Not only does it contain Smetana's orchestral masterpiece Má Vlast plus his three fairly well-known tone poems Richard III, Wallenstein's Campo, and Hakon Jarl, it also contains his nearly completely unknown four-movement Triumph Symphony, his almost totally unknown March for Shakespeare, and the Ceremonial Prelude in C major along with three short orchestral dances, the Georginen, the Louisen, and the Our Lasses Polkas.

SOW

Dvořák - Symphonic Poems

Just about every Czech conductor has recorded Dvořák's four symphonic poems based on the poetry of Karel Erben. At the successful end of spectrum are Vaclav Talich's dramatic 1951 recordings and Rafael Kubelik's lyrical 1975 recordings. To challenge the Czechs' hegemony, we have Charles Mackerras' 2010 accounts, which come very close to taking Talich's place as the finest performances of these works ever recorded. Recorded with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in lushly detailed digital sound.

DSP

Kabeláč - Improvisación sobre Hamlet, Invenciónes para percusión

Hamlet Improvisation for large orchestra, Op. 46 (1962-63) and 8 Invenzioni for percussion instruments (by Prague Percussion Ensemble), Op. 45 (1962-63) by Miloslav Kabeláč (1908 -1979), the most original personality of Czech modern music of second half of 20th century.

KHI

Janáček - Glagolitic Mass, Taras Bulba

Leoš Janáček´s "Glagolitic Mass"- Mass for Soloists, Mixed Choir, Organ and Orchestra - is a "mass of life". Janáček had determined to give expression to that belief in God which had not shown itself in his work before. He got back a tart postcard: "No old man, and no believer—till I see for myself." Janáček detested large churches: ". . . concentrated death; tombs under the floor, bones on the altar, pictures which are nothing but torture and dying". His cathedral was the Luhačovice forest, its incense the fragrance from the moist earth, its bells those from a flock of sheep. "I hear...in the choir the voice of our people. The candles—tall firs of the forest lit up with stars; and during the ceremony I see the vision of St. Wenceslas, and hear the language of the missionaries Cyril and Methodius". The Glagolitic Mass is certainly a visionary work, composer´s immaginatoion of raw roots of Christianity in Slavic people, mixed with paganic customs, inimitable opus, going to the origin of musical language. This recording is performed by L.Domanínská-soprano, V.Soukupová-contralto, B.Blachut-tenor, E.Haken-bass, J.Vodrážka-organ, Prague Philharmonic Choir, J.Veselka, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Karel Ančerl. This recording was awarded by Grand prix du disque de L'Academie Charles Cros. Karel Ančerl (1908 - 1973) was, alongside Václav Talich, part of the tandem of two foremost Czech conductors of the 20th century. As he made an overwhelming majority of his recordings for Supraphon, and since we are approaching the thirtieth anniversary of his death, this company has decided to pay a special tribute to Ančerl´s memory by a grandly conceived project of reissues of his creations, under the common heading of Ančerl Gold Series. It is to comprise a total of 42 titles, each of which will undergo complex studio overhaul and streamlining.

JGM

Dvořák - Symphony No.9, In Nature Realm, Othello Concert Ouverture

The recording of Symphony No.9, In Nature Realm, Othello Concert Ouverture, performing by Czech Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Karel Ančerl. Antonín Dvořák´s Symphony No.9, e-minor, op.95, named "From The New World" ("Novosvětská symfonie" in Czech) is certainly the composer´s supreme symphonic work, and it also ranks among the supreme symphonies of all times. Dvořák worked on it from early 1893 to May 24 of the same year, in the first year of his stay in America. The circumstances under which it was composed also determined its character and purpose. The special atmosphere of American folk music is unmistakeable to the symphony, although Dvořák made no direct use of Indian or other songs. Dvořák´s style is sometimes called a "classicist-romantic synthesis".

DS9

Sir Charles Mackerras conducts Leoš Janáček

Sir Charles Mackerras (1925-2010), Australian conductor, an authority on the operas of Leoš Janáček and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In 1978, he was presented with the Janáček Medal and in 1996, he received the Medal of Merit of Czechia for services to Czech music. This album, recorded with Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, content symphonic poem "Taras Bulba", "Sinfonietta" and ouvertures of operas "The Cunning Little Vixen" and "Káťa Kabanová"

MPJ

Smetana - My Country, Bartered Bride

Excerpts from symphonic poem "Má Vlast" (My Country) and instrumental parts from the opera "Prodaná nevěsta" (Bartered Bride) of Bedřich Smetana, performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by James Levine.

SIP

Janáček - Sinfonietta, Taras Bulba

"Sinfonietta" and symphonic poem "Taras Bulba" by Czech Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Karel Ančerl. Excitement, accuracy, passion, color, and expressive immediacy.  What other performance propels the second-movement ostinatos so forcefully, or builds the third movement's central climax with such explosive energy? Who else observes the various tempo changes in the brief fourth movement so effectively, wringing every drop of variety from its many repetitions of its opening trumpet tune? And who else drives the finale to positively expressionistic extremes of tension, making the return of the opening fanfares a moment of apocalyptic grandeur? I love this work, and enjoy other performances (including Kubelík, Neumann, Jílek, and Mackerras), but this is one of those rare occasions where you really can point your finger to a single version and say, "This is the best."

JST

Martinů - Symphonies Nos.5 & 6, Memorial to Lidice

Symphonies Nos.5 & 6 of Bohuslav Martinů by Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Karel Ančerl. Last two symphonic compositions of Bohuslav Martinů - incidentally, works which Ančerl recorded at a time when the exiled composer was less than acceptable to political powers of his home country. The album contains besides Symphony No.5 and Symphony No.6, which is called "Fantaisies symphoniques", also symphonic poem "Memorial to Lidice".

M56

Janáček - Complete Operas II

The second part of the set with operas From the House of the Dead, The Makropulos Case and Káťa Kabanová as Vol.2 of Complete Operas by Leoš Janáček, completed by Sinfonietta and symphonic poem Taras Bulba. Performed by Wiener Philharmoniker with various soloists, conductor Sir Charles Mackerras.

HOD
TMC
KAT

Martinů - Sinfonietta giocosa

Sinfonietta giocosa for piano small orchestra, H. 282 was one of the last works Bohuslav Martinů wrote before managing to leave Europe. He had been a resident of Paris since 1923, leaving his Czech homeland for the joys of the Parisian cultural scene. When Hitler's forces took Czechoslovakia, in late 1938 and early 1939, that ended plans he had developed to return to Prague. This recording permed by Czech Philarmonic Orchestra, conducted by Jiří Bělohlávek

MSG

Smetana - Má vlast

"Má Vlast" (My Country), is a set of six symphonic poems composed by Bedřich Smetana between 1874 and 1879. In this work Smetana combined the symphonic poem form with the ideals of nationalistic music which were current in the late nineteenth century. Each poem depicts some aspect of the countryside, history, or legends of Bohemia. This album is a live recording from the festival Prague spring in 2010. Performed by Prague Philharmonia, conductor Jakub Hrůša.

SMV

Kabeláč - Mystery Of Time, Hamlet Improvisation

Mystery of Time, passacaglia for large orchestra, op.31 &  Hamlet Improvisation for large orchestra, op.46, performed by Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Karel Ančerl. Miloslav Kabeláč (1908-1979) was a Czech composer belonging to the foremost Czech symphonists. New ways of expression presentated by Kabeláč in his eight symphonies and the perspectives opened by him to modern understanding and conception of this traditional genre in a way corresponding to their importance and impact.

KMH

Martinů - Memorial to Lidice, Field Mass, Symphony No.4

Memorial to Lidice, Field Mass and Symphony No.4 of Bohuslav Martinů, performed by Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Jiří Bělohlávek, with Prague Philharmonic Chorus and soloists Ivan Kusnjer (baritone), Miroslav Kejmar (trumpet)

MFM