BaL 1.07.17 - Janáček: Sinfonietta

[BBMmk2]

Hmmm, could say different I'm afraid.I'm sticking towhat I think about this recording. Messy ensemble in places, intonation problems here nd there too. Interpretation tempi far too quick in places.

[Bryn]

.

... an interesting review on amazon :

"This disc has been substantially improved on grounds of sound alone thanks to the 24 bit remastering. The performance of the Janacek from 1961 has long been regarded by collectors as probably without peer and so this remastering comes as an added bonus.
Quite apart from the inspired choice of tempo throughout the Sinfonietta, part of this recording's extra value lies in the authentic Slavonic nature of the orchestral sound. This was a cultural matter and reflected the Slavonic school of training that lay behind much of the playing. As a result the woodwind have an unmistakable rustic timbre, the higher brass are relatively thin toned but biting in impact, and few will forget the remarkable 'hooting' sounds of the horns in the Janacek. The virtuoso strings section is topped with an almost grainy sounding violin section. The whole thing adds up to a totally distinctive sound now sadly lost as a result of the increasing internationalism of orchestras worldwide.
This is a compelling and authentic disc of high quality which many will consider to be thrillingly authentic. The Slavonic nature of the sound produced by the orchestra ... adds enormously to the effect. The distinctive Slavonic woodwinds, string and brass timbres of these players is now sadly a thing of the past as a result of internationalism - a feature of orchestras worldwide as commented on above. This disc therefore has the added invaluable extra attraction of being a record of a cultural past not likely to be repeated in the future.I would suggest that this disc is arguably an indispensable part of any serious Janacek follower and worthy of serious consideration as a purchase."

I would concur with that on just about every particular. I first bought the Ancerl in LP format in the early '60s, and have since updated with the Supraphon "Gem" CD, then the excellent "Gold" remastering. A worthy 'winner' along with the various Mackerras options.

[Pulcinella]

I have the Ancerl in its Crystal Collection release, coupled with Bartok's Concerto for orchestra, a companion issue being the Glagolitic mass coupled with Taras Bulba (no image on the discog site link below for this).
I have no idea how the sound on these releases compares with later (remastered?) releases.

https://www.discogs.com/Czech-Philharmonic-Orchestra-The-Karel-Ančerl-Bartók-Concerto-For-Orchestra-Janáček-Sinfonietta/release/3958878

https://www.discogs.com/Janáček-Karel-Ančerl-Czech-Philharmonic-Orchestra-Glagolitic-Mass-Taras-Bulba/release/7685478

Is the Crystal Collection what you are calling Gem, Bryn?

[BBMmk2]

Hmmm, have I gone wrong somewhere here? I just didn't thinkit a worthy winner, due to already aforesaid reasons.

[Bryn]

I have the Ancerl in its Crystal Collection release, coupled with Bartok's Concerto for orchestra, a companion issue being the Glagolitic mass coupled with Taras Bulba (no image on the discog site link below for this)
I have no idea how the sound on these releases compare with later (remastered?) releases.

https://www.discogs.com/Czech-Philharmonic-Orchestra-The-Karel-Ančerl-Bartók-Concerto-For-Orchestra-Janáček-Sinfonietta/release/3958878

https://www.discogs.com/Janáček-Karel-Ančerl-Czech-Philharmonic-Orchestra-Glagolitic-Mass-Taras-Bulba/release/7685478

Is the Crystal Collection what you are calling Gem, Bryn?

That's the one/two. It/they are now boxed away since getting later re-masterings of the works included on them.

[BBMmk2]

At least this will save me money.

[HighlandDougie]

Just to add to remastered versions, there is this Japanese "Mastersonic" issue:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Janacek-Symfonietta-Ancerl-Czech-Po/dp/B000657LJM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498991066&sr=8-1&keywords=ASIN+%3A+B000657LJM

which I have just ordered via French Amazon. I have no idea whether it will be any improvement over the 24 bit version but the Mastersonic remastering of the Neumann Martinu symphonies set was a really significant improvement over the Czech Supraphon issue.

[makropulos]

It's a great pity, very likely down to the influence of Zdeněk Nejedlý, that the original conductor of the Sinfonietta, Václav Talich, never got to record it. Fortunately he did record Taras Bulba and his suite from The Cunning Little Vixen, and they are available on Supraphon.

It would have been wonderful to have had a Talich recording. Nejedlý's malign influence may well have had something to do with it, since he had it in for both Talich and LJ, but Talich could have recorded it before 1948 (when Nejedlý came back to Prague) - as Kubelík did with the Czech Philharmonic.

Mind you, it is worth saying that the conductor who gave what Janáček described as a performance 'unrivalled by anyone anywhere' was Klemperer (referring to the one he conducted in Berlin on 29 September 1927), and we have two live performances conducted by him (Concertgebouw, 11 January 1951; Cologne Radio, 27 February 1956).

[Bryn]

It would have been wonderful to have had a Talich recording. Nejedlý's malign influence may well have had something to do with it, since he had it in for both Talich and LJ, but Talich could have recorded it before 1948 (when Nejedlý came back to Prague) - as Kubelík did with the Czech Philharmonic.

Mind you, it is worth saying that the conductor who gave what Janáček described as a performance 'unrivalled by anyone anywhere' was Klemperer (referring to the one he conducted in Berlin on 29 September 1927), and we have two live performances conducted by him (Concertgebouw, 11 January 1951; Cologne Radio, 27 February 1956).

I have the Cologne Radio recording but not the Concertgebouw (price a tad prohibitive for noisy shellac transfers in my book). I shall give the former a spin. It is also on YouTube:

Would Klemperer's tempi have been quite that slow in 1927?

[makropulos]

Surprised there has been no mention of Bakala. His Prague (not Brno as stated in the OP) Radio recording is available from Supraphon and other labels. An interesting historical document if not a main recommendation.

Bakala is definitely worthy of serious attention - though personally I don't think the Sinfonietta finds him at his very best. Still, he's an extremely important Janáček conductor given his close personal association with the composer. Just to clarify, there are (or have been) at least three Bakala performances in circulation:

Czech Philharmonic, 16–18 October 1950 (Supraphon SU 3613-2)
Brno Radio SO, 9 September 1953 (Panton 811105-2)
Prague Radio SO, 25/27 April 1955 (Multisonic 310184-2)

Bakala enthusiasts will want to keep an eye on the releases from CRQ Editions in a few months' time: his most important Janáček recordings are the Brno Radio versions of operas and a number of these will be released on a CD-Rom from CRQ later this year. I know about this because I've just written a long booklet essay for it and it's an exciting prospect. In 1980, Charles Mackerras said that these opera broadcasts were 'a great milestone, a real treasure. … It would be wonderful and very valuable for the propagation and teaching of Janáček’s works if this outstanding archive could be published.' He should know. The set will include broadcasts of Jenůfa, Kát'a Kabanová, Osud (two versions), Cunning Little Vixen (once on Panton LPs), Šárka and The Makropulos Affair, along with other works. Of these, Kát'a and Vixen are particularly interesting as Bakala prepared the vocal scores of both, and rehearsed the singers for the Brno world premieres.

Also in the same release - and of exceptional interest - is a 1953 Brno Radio recording of the Diary of One who Disappeared. Bakala unearthed the manuscript from Janáček's chest, gave private performances for Janáček and played the piano in the world premiere on 18 April 1921, in Janáček's presence.

[makropulos]

I have the Cologne Radio recording but not the Concertgebouw (price a tad prohibitive for noisy shellac transfers in my book). I shall give the former a spin. It is also on YouTube:

Would Klemperer's tempi have been quite that slow in 1927?

I'm sure they can't have been. Though for slow tempi in this piece the gravest offender is Horenstein's Vox recording. I'll PM you about the COA one. Definitely worth hearing.

[Bryn]

Bakala is definitely worthy of serious attention - though personally I don't think the Sinfonietta finds him at his very best. Still, he's an extremely important Janáček conductor given his close personal association with the composer. Just to clarify, there are (or have been) at least three Bakala performances in circulation:

Czech Philharmonic, 16–18 October 1950 (Supraphon SU 3613-2)
Brno Radio SO, 9 September 1953 (Panton 811105-2)
Prague Radio SO, 25/27 April 1955 (Multisonic 310184-2)

Bakala enthusiasts will want to keep an eye on the releases from CRQ Editions in a few months' time: his most important Janáček recordings are the Brno Radio versions of operas and a number of these will be released on a CD-Rom from CRQ later this year. I know about this because I've just written a long booklet essay for it and it's an exciting prospect. In 1980, Charles Mackerras said that these opera broadcasts were 'a great milestone, a real treasure. … It would be wonderful and very valuable for the propagation and teaching of Janáček’s works if this outstanding archive could be published.' He should know. The set will include broadcasts of Jenůfa, Kát'a Kabanová, Osud (two versions), Cunning Little Vixen (once on Panton LPs), Šárka and The Makropulos Affair, along with other works. Of these, Kát'a and Vixen are particularly interesting as Bakala prepared the vocal scores of both, and rehearsed the singers for the Brno world premieres.

Also in the same release - and of exceptional interest - is a 1953 Brno Radio recording of the Diary of One who Disappeared. Bakala unearthed the manuscript from Janáček's chest, gave private performances for Janáček and played the piano in the world premiere on 18 April 1921, in Janáček's presence.

I see the Panton/Brno is available on QOBUZ. As to the CRQ release, please update us when it is due for release. In the meantime, is CRQ CD277 worth getting for the £10 asking price?

[Cockney Sparrow]

I have the Cologne Radio recording but not the Concertgebouw (price a tad prohibitive for noisy shellac transfers in my book). I shall give the former a spin..

I've got go out, but having a very quick listen to the Klemperer Concertgebow on Naxos Music Library - sound isn't that bad (no swishing or clicks/pops) (as I say on a sample / quick listen) (Label - Archiphon - Initial "J" ; cat no : ARC-101). Bryn - you're not far from London - if you're local library doesn't provide access, have you dropped by at the Barbican Library to join there? (You don't have to answer - perhaps too personal a question).
I probably wouldn't buy it either - but as ever, its a great facility to listen before deciding. (Apologies to those of you who can't access it).
Also - I see its available in Google Play Music but no time to check my daughter's Spotify.

[Alain Maréchal]

Just to add to remastered versions, there is this Japanese "Mastersonic" issue:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Janacek-Symfonietta-Ancerl-Czech-Po/dp/B000657LJM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498991066&sr=8-1&keywords=ASIN+%3A+B000657LJM

which I have just ordered via French Amazon. I have no idea whether it will be any improvement over the 24 bit version but the Mastersonic remastering of the Neumann Martinu symphonies set was a really significant improvement over the Czech Supraphon issue.

When you have listened, would you be so kind as to advise us here? Nobody has mentioned that the LP coupling, Taras Bulba, seems to me to be an even more intense and idiomatic recording, on my LPs at least. Many orchestras have lost their autochthonous identity. Ironically, it is probably the gramophone which is to blame.

[BBMmk2]

I seem to be missing a point with this recording.