I got a lot out of this review of recent recordings of Czech music, by Anna Picard and Mahan Esfahani.
Enjoyable first because of the occasionally combative approach of the reviewers - not a 'yes-fest' of fantastics, wonderfuls and fabulouses, but some more bracing disagreements. I laughed out loud at AP's retort when ME (having been pretty hard on the Zelenka mass recording) said that despite being a Prague resident he had no idea where the recording-venue church was: Anna Picard - "You’ll find out when they take you there and beat you up after what you said"
But mainly because of the music - especially the marvellous discoveries (for me) of the Martinů Piano Trios and Cello Concerto. Instantly hooked, and added to the other weekend's discovery of the 6th Symphony (I've acquired the Thomson lossless download), I'm starting a Martinů phase with a vengeance....
Radio 3 at its best.
Enjoyable first because of the occasionally combative approach of the reviewers - not a 'yes-fest' of fantastics, wonderfuls and fabulouses, but some more bracing disagreements. I laughed out loud at AP's retort when ME (having been pretty hard on the Zelenka mass recording) said that despite being a Prague resident he had no idea where the recording-venue church was: Anna Picard - "You’ll find out when they take you there and beat you up after what you said"
But mainly because of the music - especially the marvellous discoveries (for me) of the Martinů Piano Trios and Cello Concerto. Instantly hooked, and added to the other weekend's discovery of the 6th Symphony (I've acquired the Thomson lossless download), I'm starting a Martinů phase with a vengeance....
Radio 3 at its best.
by Magdalena Kožená long before she was Mrs Rattle with Graham Johnson, and very lovely it is too.
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