Indispensable recordings 24.08.2024. Proms Composer 6: Janáček

[Pulcinella]

2.15 pm
BBC Proms Composer Beethoven [sic]
They mean Janáček, of course.

Nigel Simeone joins Andrew to discuss five indispensable recordings of BBC Proms Composer Janacek and explains why you need to hear them.

[smittims]

Mackerras Sinfonietta. The Pye recording rather thanthe VPO, which wasn't quite so thrilling.

Mackerras Makropoulos case and Katya Kabanova with Elisabeth Sodertsrom

The DG set of the piano music with Rudolf Firkusny

Ancerl Glagolotic mass (Supraphon).

[Pulcinella]

Looking forward to makropulos' choices here.
This is the first composer in this year's list without whose music I'd feel bereft.
(Throw me out for my Philistinism if you wish!)

Glagolitic mass
Sinfonietta
SQ1
On an overgrown path
But which opera? Jenufa or Katya?

But which 'indispensible' recording? In the case of the mass, which performing version, for starters!

[AuntDaisy]

Looking forward to makropulos' choices here.
This is the first composer in this year's list without whose music I'd feel bereft.
(Throw me out for my Philistinism if you wish!)

Glagolitic mass
Sinfonietta
SQ1
On an overgrown path
But which opera? Jenufa or Katya?

Which 'indispensible' recording? In the case of the mass, which performing version, for starters!

I'm with smittims and "The Makropulos Case" Mackerras / Söderström (although the Mackerras / Cheryl Barker gets played just as often - the legalese sounds bettter / more tedious in English).
Both String Quartets - probably Pavel Haas Quartet (but that's two CDs plus the Haas)
Glagolitic mass (Proms '78 because Patricia Hughes presents, BBC SO & Norman Del Mar).
Sinfonietta (Mackerras)
"Notes from Janacek's Diary" - the radio portrait with John Moffatt, "Compiled from from his writings and fragments of his unrealised music by Mike Steer."

Plus the whole of Radio 3's 2004 Janacek Day

[cloughie]

Sinfonietta Ancerl, Kubelik, Abbado
Glagolitic Mass Ancerl, Kempe
Taras Bulba Ancerl, Kubelik
Lachian Dances Huybrechts
True Love (Song a cappells for TTBB voices)

We must be grateful for Mackerras’ contribution to the wider appreciation of Janacek’s music, and some great recordings.

[mikealdren]

Quartets Janacek Quartet

[Pulcinella]

Quartets Janacek Quartet

My old CfP LP was nearly worn out.

I'm sure you'll remember the discussion here:

https://www.for3.org/forums/forum/classical-forum/record-review/building-a-library/24150-bal-15-04-23-janácek-string-quartet-no-1-“kreutzer-sonata”

[richardfinegold]

My choices:
MacKerras Sinfonietta and Taras Bulba with the VPO
SQs- 2 Versions First the Janacek Quartet, then the Mandelring Qt which overs the Viola’amore alternative for #2
Firkusny Piano Collection (repackaged various was)
Suk in the Violin SonatAncerl in Glagolithic Mass

the operas interest me but I don’t know enough to discuss competing versions, etc

[Opinionated Knowall]

Wot no Cunning Little Vixen? Mackerras is fabulous.

[CallMePaul]

I'm surprised that no-one has mentioned The Diary of One who Disappeared - a fine cycle even if the lyrics are not by a major poet (but then would Muller be rated highly without Schubert's cycles?). I have the Bostridge/ Ades version (a pity he has not recorded Philip Larkin's versions of the poems). My preference for the Sinfonietta is Mackerras/ VPO; for the quartets I find it hard to choose between the mandelring and Belcea quartets, with the inclusion of the viola d'amore version of the second just tipping the balance in favour of the former. I agree that Firkusny's is the best version of the piano music and I would particularly mention the rarely-played Capriccio for left-hand and ensemble.

Regarding the operas, I would probably go for the Mackerras Katya Kabanová with an honourable mention for his From the House of the Dead, an opera which I saw a few years ago in an |Opera North production.

[oliver sudden]

For the Diary there is a splendid CD coupling recordings by Beno Blachut and Nicolai Gedda. I had no idea just how musical the ř sound can be before I heard the former and that is a VERY long way from being the best thing about it.

[akiralx]

Taras Bulba: Cleveland O/Dohnanyi (coupled with a very fine Dvorak 6)

[Mandryka]

I plump for Quartetto Energie Nove's CD of the two quartets and Josef Palenicek playing On an overgrown path and the cartoon version of Cunning Little Vixen

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0424016/

[kernelbogey]

Any recommendations please for On An Overgrown Path Book 1? I used to have a perfect recording off air on cassette, currently misplaced. I think Firkusny.

I want to buy it for a friend so CD only please of just this work, or OAOP Books 1 & 2.

Thanks for suggestions.

(If you don't know it, seek out this wonderful work!)

[Mandryka]

Any recommendations please for On An Overgrown Path Book 1? I used to have a perfect recording off air on cassette, currently misplaced. I think Firkusny.

I want to buy it for a friend so CD only please of just this work, or OAOP Books 1 & 2.

Thanks for suggestions.

(If you don't know it, seek out this wonderful work!)

I don't think you'll get a commercial CD of just Bk 1. You'll have to make one.


My favourite is Palenicek's first recording,1943 I think, which as far as I am aware has never been commercially liberated from the vinyl. If you PM me I can let you have the files of my transfer.

If not, I thought Austbø was wonderful too. And Palenicek's second, Schiff -- you already know Firkusny.