Janacek Glagolitic Mass and Taras BUlba (Janowski)

[Bryn]

Does anyone here have/know much about this new SACD? The publicity says that the Glagolitic Mass is of the "original version", and I have seen it claimed in a review that the Wingfield edition is used. However, Wingfield's is not the only edition based on Janacek's original version, so is it the Wingfield or the Jiří Zahrádka and Leoš Faltus edition? The inclusion of the Intrada at the start suggests Wingfield as Belohlavek did not play it at the start of the Proms 2011 First Night performance of the Jiří Zahrádka and Leoš Faltus. However ...

[Bryn]

Just nudging this old single post 'thread' as I have today taken possession of the 5 disc "Life with Czech" music boxed set of 4 CDs and 1 DVD. That has both the 'final' 1928 revision and the Wingfield edition of the 1926/7 version (though the latter is wrongly described as "1926 rev. 1928" in the booklet, label and packaging. I really would welcome a decent recording of the Zahradka and Faltus version presented at the 2012 Proms (the Prom relay suffered rather heavy dynamic compression, even in it's "HD Sound" format). I'd also be interested to read the views of those in the know (makropulos et al) regarding the relative claims of Wingfield and Zahradka/Faltus. From the little reading I have done it would appear that the latter find it hard to even mention the name of the former.

[richardfinegold]

Just nudging this old single post 'thread' as I have today taken possession of the 5 disc "Life with Czech" music boxed set of 4 CDs and 1 DVD. That has both the 'final' 1928 revision and the Wingfield edition of the 1926/7 version (though the latter is wrongly described as "1926 rev. 1928" in the booklet, label and packaging. I really would welcome a decent recording of the Zahradka and Faltus version presented at the 2012 Proms (the Prom relay suffered rather heavy dynamic compression, even in it's "HD Sound" format). I'd also be interested to read the views of those in the know (makropulos et al) regarding the relative claims of Wingfield and Zahradka/Faltus. From the little reading I have done it would appear that the latter find it hard to even mention the name of the former.

I won't claim to know as much about the piece as you do, Bryn. I discovered it in the last year or so and have two recordings: Ancerl/Czech PO and Antoni Wit with his Polish Orchestra on a Naxos Blu Ray Audio. I just got back from Prague and discovered what "Glagolithic" means.

[Dave2002]

I won't claim to know as much about the piece as you do, Bryn. I discovered it in the last year or so and have two recordings: Ancerl/Czech PO and Antoni Wit with his Polish Orchestra on a Naxos Blu Ray Audio. I just got back from Prague and discovered what "Glagolithic" means.

I believe Mackerras had a recording of the earlier (more complex) versions, which David Parry has also performed, but not AFAIK recorded. This has parts in different time signatures (not simple!) playing against each other.

[salymap]

It's a pity that Rob Cowan can't join in discussions here. Post one is right up his street.

[Bryn]

I believe Mackerras had a recording of the earlier (more complex) versions, which David Parry has also performed, but not AFAIK recorded. This has parts in different time signatures (not simple!) playing against each other.

That's the Paul Wingfield edition which aimed at reconstructing the composer's original score. That conducted by JB at the 2011 first night of the Proms was published as a supplement to the New "Critical Edition". It's editors are pretty dismissive of Paul Wingfield's arguments in support of his edition, though their reconstruction has much in common with Wingfield's. As I have mentioned here previously, I was fortunate enough to have attended the first performance of the Wingfield reconstruction at Manchester University back in the winter of 1992-3. Whatever its shortcomings, his monograph on the Glagolitic Mass is well worth reading.



_

[Stanfordian]

Does anyone here have/know much about this new SACD? The publicity says that the Glagolitic Mass is of the "original version", and I have seen it claimed in a review that the Wingfield edition is used. However, Wingfield's is not the only edition based on Janacek's original version, so is it the Wingfield or the Jiří Zahrádka and Leoš Faltus edition? The inclusion of the Intrada at the start suggests Wingfield as Belohlavek did not play it at the start of the Proms 2011 First Night performance of the Jiří Zahrádka and Leoš Faltus. However ...

Hiya Bryn,

I have this Pentatone disc of the Glagolitic Mass and its pretty disappointing for the usually reliable Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin under Marek Janowski. Last month I was at the Philharmonie, Berlin when the Berliner Philharmoniker under Sir Simon Rattle gave a thrilling performance of the score. I love the account by the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks under Kubelik on DG. Also I admire the live 2012 Lucerne recording on Blu-ray from the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks under Jansons on Arthaus Musik.

[HighlandDougie]

Hiya Bryn,

I have this Pentatone disc of the Glagolitic Mass and its pretty disappointing for the usually reliable Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin under Marek Janowski.

Bryn

As I agree with Stanfordian's view - and if you'd like a copy to explore the edition issue (I can't see myself playing it very often) - PM me and I'll post it to you when I'm back in Scotland

[Bryn]

Bryn

As I agree with Stanfordian's view - and if you'd like a copy to explore the edition issue (I can't see myself playing it very often) - PM me and I'll post it to you when I'm back in Scotland

Hi HD,

I have several recordings of the Wingfield reconstruction (including 3 conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras - Danish RSO (CD), BBCPO (cassette from R3 FM), Czech PO (DVD), plus the BBCMM cover disc with Hickox in charge. I have read a number of negative reviews of the Janowski, and am thus not particularly eager to hear it. Thanks for the offer though.

I have done the best I can with HD Sound offering regarding the 2011 Prom performance of the Zahrádka/Faltus edition of the 'original' version. However, not only is there the rather heavy dynamic limiting, there is a fair bit of audience noise and a few fluffs which a studio recording would hopefully avoid. My introduction to the work was the glorious Ancerl recording on Supraphon, which remains my favourite recording of the revised (standard) version.

[makropulos]

Hi HD,

I have several recordings of the Wingfield reconstruction (including 3 conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras - Danish RSO (CD), BBCPO (cassette from R3 FM), Czech PO (DVD), plus the BBCMM cover disc with Hickox in charge. I have read a number of negative reviews of the Janowski, and am thus not particularly eager to hear it. Thanks for the offer though.

I have done the best I can with HD Sound offering regarding the 2011 Prom performance of the Zahrádka/Faltus edition of the 'original' version. However, not only is there the rather heavy dynamic limiting, there is a fair bit of audience noise and a few fluffs which a studio recording would hopefully avoid. My introduction to the work was the glorious Ancerl recording on Supraphon, which remains my favourite recording of the revised (standard) version.

Good news that I heard a few days ago: Supraphon is apparently going to issue a recording either taken from or based on the live performances Belohlavek has recently conducted in Prague of the Zahrádka 1927 version. It'll be good to have it. Meanwhile, I believe Jakub Hrusa is going to use Zahradka's edition of the 1928 version when he does the Glag. Mass with the Philharmonia next year.

[Bryn]

Good news that I heard a few days ago: Supraphon is apparently going to issue a recording either taken from or based on the live performances Belohlavek has recently conducted in Prague of the Zahrádka 1927 version. It'll be good to have it. Meanwhile, I believe Jakub Hrusa is going to use Zahradka's edition of the 1928 version when he does the Glag. Mass with the Philharmonia next year.

Thanks for that, macropulos. It will be interesting to hear what the critical edition of the 1928 score sounds like, if I can get to it, or if it manages to get broadcast (slim chance these days).