BaL 8.06.19 - Janácek: Glagolitic Mass

[Bryn]

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

What, no Ancerl? That really is a serious omission on your part. However, if the reviewer(s) consider(s) textual matters the main issue, none of those has much of a chance.

[Bryn]

Leslie Wright's review of the Netopil recording (which recording has been broadcast at least three times on TtN) has a useful summary of the differences between the Wingfield and Zahrádka edtions of 1927 version, http://www.musicweb-international.co...ic_SU41502.htm .

[sgjames]

This piece was my introduction to Janacek's music - via the Kenneth Anger film 'Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome'. I have five recordings of the Mass - Bakala (Supraphon), Ancerl (Supraphon), Mackerras (Supraphon), Kubelik(DG) and Rattle (EMI). My preference would be for Ancerl or Mackerras - impossible to choose between these two.

I will listen to this BAL with interest, whether one-fer, two-fer or any other -fer, but will not be adding to my collection.

[Bryn]

This piece was my introduction to Janacek's music - via the Kenneth Anger film 'Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome'. I have five recordings of the Mass - Bakala (Supraphon), Ancerl (Supraphon), Mackerras (Supraphon), Kubelik(DG) and Rattle (EMI). My preference would be for Ancerl or Mackerras - impossible to choose between these two.

I will listen to this BAL with interest, whether one-fer, two-fer or any other -fer, but will not be adding to my collection.

If the Mackerras is the CD, rather than the DVD, the score he prepared is fairly close to that of the later critical edition of the 1928 revision, I think. However, I suggest you might well consider the Belohlavek double CD which has the critical edition of the 1927 version, replete with the original complex rhythmic effects, and with the timps in the Veruju, etc. I have been listening to it this afternoon (the whole of the double album, that is) and its Glagolitic Mass now marginally supplants the Netopil for me as regards this edition of the score. The other three works are also given very fine performances, to my ears.

[Pulcinella]

If the Mackerras is the CD, rather than the DVD, the score he prepared is fairly close to that of the later critical edition of the 1928 revision, I think. However, I suggest you might well consider the Belohlavek double CD which has the critical edition of the 1927 version, replete with the original complex rhythmic effects, and with the timps in the Veruju, etc. I have been listening to it this afternoon (the whole of the double album, that is) and its Glagolitic Mass now marginally supplants the Netopil for me as regards this edition of the score. The other three works are also given very fine performances, to my ears.

I listened to the Netopil again this afternoon, and I'm listening to the Belohlavek now; I think I agree: brighter brass in the latter.

[Pulcinella]

Has anyone listened to the Bernstein?
I would have thought that this was a piece that he might have done well, but the only review I've seen (on amazon.com) is pretty damning; mind you, the reviewer doesn't rate the Poulenc coupling that highly either, and I seem to remember enjoying that.

Just found it on Deezer, so listening......

Later: perhaps not quite as bad as the review makes out, but not Lennie at his best, by a long shot. Horrific organ, too!
Still, the joy of streaming: at least it's not sitting on the shelf waiting to be put in the culled pile!

[cloughie]

It has fared well on CD - I like Ancerl and Kempe but will be interested in the Belohlavec - it must have been one of his last recordings with the CPO before his untimely death.

[Pulcinella]

It has fared well on CD - I like Ancerl and Kempe but will be interested in the Belohlavec - it must have been one of his last recordings with the CPO before his untimely death.

Recorded in 2013, according to the Presto site:

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Prague Philharmonic Choir
Jiří Bělohlávek
Hibla Gerzmava (soprano), Aleš Bárta (organ), Stuart Neill (tenor), Jan Martiník (bass), Veronika Hajnová (mezzo-soprano)
Recorded: 2013-10-03
Recording Venue: Rudolfinum, Prague

[cloughie]

Recorded in 2013, according to the Presto site:

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Prague Philharmonic Choir
Jiří Bělohlávek
Hibla Gerzmava (soprano), Aleš Bárta (organ), Stuart Neill (tenor), Jan Martiník (bass), Veronika Hajnová (mezzo-soprano)
Recorded: 2013-10-03
Recording Venue: Rudolfinum, Prague

Released in 2018, must have been in the can for a year or five!

[jayne lee wilson]

No surprise to find many so fond of this one - terrific piece which I used to pursue obsessively off R3, TDK MA at the ready....

It has such an impact on me that I do find it hard to listen to repeatedly....(not like Mendelssohn then!)... so I haven't a vast shelf of it. Ancerl always the go-to on the lovely Gold Edition - found it hard to get past that - but a place for Netopil, Kempe (on Decca Legends..)...

I never made my mind up about having the intrada bookending, or just to close...
...but thinking on: without.
The opening introitus is so splendid and has the feel of something momentous opening before us...

[visualnickmos]

Has anyone listened to the Bernstein?
I would have thought that this was a piece that he might have done well, but the only review I've seen (on amazon.com) is pretty damning; mind you, the reviewer doesn't rate the Poulenc coupling that highly either, and I seem to remember enjoying that.

Just found it on Deezer, so listening......

Later: perhaps not quite as bad as the review makes out, but not Lennie at his best, by a long shot. Horrific organ, too!
Still, the joy of streaming: at least it's not sitting on the shelf waiting to be put in the culled pile!

I have the Bernstein - been lying dormant for some years; I will listen to it. I shall probably enjoy it, as I am rather partial to Bernstein's "ways"
We shall see! I may hate it!

PS I would never cull anything from my collection, since I did once cull the complete Beethoven string quartets, on Nimbus, by the Medici Quartet. It just did nothing for me compared with the Bergs, Takacs, Tokyo, Juilliards, a decision I half regret.

[Pulcinella]

I have the Bernstein - been lying dormant for some years; I will listen to it. I shall probably enjoy it, as I am rather partial to Bernstein's "ways"
We shall see! I may hate it!

PS I would never cull anything from my collection, since I did once cull the complete Beethoven string quartets, on Nimbus, by the Medici Quartet. It just did nothing for me compared with the Bergs, Takacs, Tokyo, Juilliards, a decision I half regret.

I culled the Medici Beethoven set too!
Inherited the Bergs when my partner's collection got amalgamated.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I got rid of the Medici Beethoven cycle, too - terrible intonation, and really dull performances. I have never encountered a worse set of recordings of these works, and I fervently hope I never do.

[verismissimo]

I got rid of the Medici Beethoven cycle, too - terrible intonation, and really dull performances. I have never encountered a worse set of recordings of these works, and I fervently hope I never do.

I still have the Medici's set of Haydn Op 64. Never play it. Unnecessarily dull.

[cloughie]

I got rid of the Medici Beethoven cycle, too - terrible intonation, and really dull performances. I have never encountered a worse set of recordings of these works, and I fervently hope I never do.

I guess many of us acquired the Medici Beethoven set very cheaply at a time when Nimbus had problems and much stock was sold off at rock bottom prices.