BaL 8.06.19 - Janácek: Glagolitic Mass

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

09.30
Building a Library: Elin Manahan Thomas compares recordings of Leo Janácek’s Glagolitic Mass and picks a favourite.
There is nothing quite like Janácek’s Glagolitic Mass, the crowning glory of the extraordinary creative final decade of his life. With its elemental energy and power - wild organ solos, flashing brass fanfares and powerful speech-based rhythms - it’s easy to imagine not only the storm that Janacek said had inspired him but also his vision of a Mass being celebrated in nature within a forest cathedral with star-capped treetops as candles. The text is based on Old Church Slavonic (with its Glagolitic script) rather than the traditional Latin, reflecting Janácek’s Pan-Slavism sympathies and, as well as chorus, large orchestra and organ, the scoring includes a solo vocal quartet. This monumental work is demanding for everyone, performers and recording engineers alike.


Available versions:-


Libuse Domaninska, Marie Jurenova, Josef Valka, Jaroslav Hromadka, Frantisek Michalek, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Moravian Academic Singing Association, The Vach Moravian Lady Teachers’ Choir, Brno Radio Symphony Orchestra, Bretislav Bakala

Eduard Haken, Vera Soukupova, Beno Blachut, Libuse Domaninska, Jaroslav Vodrazka,Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Prague Philharmonic Choir, Karel Ancerl

Nicolai Gedda , Janis Martin, Helga Pilarczyk, George Gaynes, Bruce Prince-Joseph, New York Philharmonic, Westminster Choir, Leonard Bernstein *

Hibla Gerzmava, Veronika Hajnová, Stuart Neill, Jan Martinik, Ales Bárta, Czech Philharmonic, Jirí Belohlávek

Eva Urbanová, Vladimir Bogachov, Marta Benackova, Richard Novak, Thomas Trotter, Wiener Philharmoniker, Slovak Philharmonic Choir, Riccardo Chailly *

Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester, Bergen Filharmoniske Kor, Collegiûm Mûsicûms Kor Bergen, Edvard Grieg Kor, Edward Gardner (SACD)

SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Freiburg, Michael Gielen

Aga Mikolaj, Iris Vermillion, Stuart Neill, Arutjun Kotchinian, RundfunkSinfonieorchester & Chor Berlin, Marek Janowski (SACD)

Tatiana Monogarova, Marina Prudenskaja, Ludovit Ludha Peter Mikulá, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, with Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Mariss Jansons (DVD/Blu-ray)

Teresa Kubiak, Anne Collins, Robert Tear, Wolfgang Schöne, John Birch, Brighton Festival Chorus, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Rudolf Kempe,

Lear, Rössel-Mjdan, Haefliger, Crass, Kay Griffel, Ernst Haefliger, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir, Frauenchor, Rafael Kubelik *

Tina Kiberg, Randi Stene, Peter Svensson, Ulrik Cold, Per Salo, Copenhagen Boys` Choir, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra & Choir, Sir Charles Mackerras

Soderstrom, Drobkova, Livora, Novak, Czech Phil Chorus, Czech PO, Mackerras

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras (DVD)

David Goode, Czech Philharmonic Choir, Brno, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Kurt Masur

Pavol Breslik, Karen Cargill, Zdena Kloubova, Gustav Belacek, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Prague Radio Choir, Kurt Masur *

Philharmonic Choir & Prague RSO, Tomá Netopil

John Mitchinson, Malcolm King, Felicity Palmer, Ameral Gunson, Jane Parker-Smith, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus, Nicholas Cleobury
Sir Simon Rattle

Czech Philharmonic Chorus & Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Wolfgang Sawallisch

Magdalena Hajossyova, Viktoria Stracenska, Vilem Prebyl, Richard Novak, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus, Ladislav Slovak

Eva Drizgova, Hana Stolfova-Bandova, Vladimir Dolezal, Jiri Sulzenko, Martin Jakubicek, Czech Symphony Orchestra, Brno, Czech Philharmonic Choir, Leos Svarovsky

Gabriela Benacková, Felicity Palmer, Gary Lakes, Anatoly Kotcherga, London Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Chorus, Michael Tilson Thomas

Christiane Libor, Ewa Marciniec, Timothy Bentch, Wojciech Gierlach, Jaroslaw Malanowicz, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Antoni Wit (CD & Blu-ray audio)


* = download only

[Bryn]

There's another Mackerras on a Supraphon CD in their Janacek and Martinu box. It is quite different from that on the DVD.

[verismissimo]

There's another Mackerras on a Supraphon CD in their Janacek and Martinu box. It is quite different from that on the DVD.

That would be: Soderstrom, Drobkova, Livora, Novak, Czech Phil Chorus, Czech PO, Mackerras(1984).

I have that on LP, also the Ancerl (1963), which was brought by hand by a refugee from Prague, who stayed with us in London in 1968.

[LeMartinPecheur]

That would be: Soderstrom, Drobkova, Livora, Novak, Czech Phil Chorus, Czech PO, Mackerras(1984).

And IIRC that recording was the beginning of some tricky issues about editions. Wonder if they will be fully aired in the BaL. Or perhaps here??

Also, will Betfred be offering odds on how long before the Kempe gets coal of fire on its head here?

[Bryn]

That would be: Soderstrom, Drobkova, Livora, Novak, Czech Phil Chorus, Czech PO, Mackerras(1984).

I have that on LP, also the Ancerl (1963), which was brought by hand by a refugee from Prague, who stayed with us in London in 1968.

In that very year, I was working with another Czech refugee at the Heating and Ventilating Research Lab. Unfortunately, he showed no interest in his country's great composers.

Re. the various Mackerras recordings, see http://www.for3.org/forums/showthrea...554#post739554 and follow the ">>" links after the name at the end of the quotes.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

There's another Mackerras on a Supraphon CD in their Janacek and Martinu box. It is quite different from that on the DVD.

Now added to the list

[Richard Barrett]

I'm looking forward to this one, since this is a work I hardly know and IIRC there are textual "issues"...

[Bryn]

I'm looking forward to this one, since this is a work I hardly know and IIRC there are textual "issues"...

Here's a useful guide from one of our own:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06j1qv9

If you cannot access it from where you are, let me know. I'll send it.

Unlike Nigel, I prefer the rhythmic complexity of the original version. However, I concur regarding the removal of the three sets of timps in the Veruju. It's good to be able to hear the standard revised version, the original as edited by Wingfield, that same version as edited by Zahrádka, and the new critical edition of the revised version, and also Mackerras's revision on the Supraphon CD mentioned earlier in the thread.

[richardfinegold]

I like Janacek, but I have to admit I've never quite gotten this work. I was surprised to see that Bernstein recorded it. I have the Wit on Blu Ray and will dig that out

[Petrushka]

This is a favourite work of mine and I have Kubelik, Ancerl, Kempe, Belohlavek and one not on Alpie's list, Frantisek Jilek. The Jilek, with the Brno State Philharmonic and an excellent team of soloists is terrific in fine 1979 sound and would be my first choice. It has all the energy and panache one could wish for and is a fully Czech affair.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Janacek-Glagolitic-Mass-Amarus-Jan%C3%A1cek/dp/B000003517/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Amarus&qid=1559282272&s=music&sr=1-2-catcorr

[Pulcinella]

Looking forward to this, as after listening to the BBC MM cover disc (Hickox) recently I was contemplating launching a Recordings in Discussion or Summer BaL thread to coincide with its appearance in the First Night of the Proms.

At that stage I had Ancerl, Mackerras (Chandos), and Rattle, but thanks to Bryn's comments/suggestions I streamed and listened to the Netopil and bought the Mackerras Supraphon set that has the DVD and CD performances in (not watched the DVD yet).

[Pulcinella]

I'm looking forward to this one, since this is a work I hardly know and IIRC there are textual "issues"...

Richard
You might like to read this:

https://www.cambridge.org/gb/academic/subjects/music/twentieth-century-and-contemporary-music/janacek-glagolitic-mass?format=HB&isbn=9780521380133

Somewhat cheaper on Amazon.
I only paid £3 for my copy, though!

I'll be interested to hear what Gielen (one of your favourites) made of the work.

[Bryn]

This is a favourite work of mine and I have Kubelik, Ancerl, Kempe, Belohlavek and one not on Alpie's list, Frantisek Jilek. The Jilek, with the Brno State Philharmonic and an excellent team of soloists is terrific in fine 1979 sound and would be my first choice. It has all the energy and panache one could wish for and is a fully Czech affair.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Janacek-Gla...sr=1-2-catcorr

The download at CD quality costs £3.99 from QOBUZ.

[Bryn]

Richard
You might like to read this:

https://www.cambridge.org/gb/academic/subjects/music/twentieth-century-and-contemporary-music/janacek-glagolitic-mass?format=HB&isbn=9780521380133

Somewhat cheaper on Amazon.
I only paid £3 for my copy, though!

Mine cost a little over £10 (including p&p). Those with access to JSTOR might find https://www.jstor.org/stable/4367297...n_tab_contents of interest.

[BBMmk2]

I have, Mackerras(CD and DVD), Rattle and Gardner. I’m hoping that one of these will win!