For these items, the transfers, etc., are prepared with the usual care, but my commentary may be less extended than usual.
I was surprised and pleased to see the interest in these early 1950s recordings on the Supraphon label.
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| Leoš Janáček |
The influence of Czech composer Leoš Janáček and, more broadly, of Moravian folk music permeates the works in these performances from 1952-53.
Janáček (1854-1928) himself is represented by his Lachian Dances, based on music from the Lachian area of Moravia, a Czech region. The dances, dating from 1889, were his first mature composition.
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| Klement Slavický |
These were influenced by Antonín Dvořák's Slavonic Dances of 1878 and 1886, and in turn both influenced the Three Moravian Dance Fantasies by Klement Slavický (1910-99), which date from 1951.
Leading the Janáček dances is one of his pupils, Břetislav Bakala (1897-1958), a specialist in the composer's music. He conducts the Brno Radio Symphony Orchestra in these 1952 recordings.
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| Břetislav Bakala, Karel Ančerl |
The Slavický work is directed by the distinguished Karel Ančerl (1908-73). The orchestra is the Czech Philharmonic, which he led from 1950-68.
Here is what critic Andrew Porter wrote in The Gramophone: "Janáček was from Lachia, and in this fascinating set of six Lachian Dances we find, in pure and lively form, rhythmic and melodic motifs which recur in his operatic and orchestral music. It is amazing to discover how much variety and complexity of rhythm is possible, within the two-bar phrases that make up most of the music. This is an immensely attractive score.
"Klement Slavický ... recalls Dvořák rather than Janáček. The outer pieces are bright and arresting, the central one more tranquil, and within each there are contrasting sections. This is also a pleasant work. The Slavický score is evidently very well played, and is well recorded."
The Lachian Dances are occasionally heard in this country; the Moravian Dances Fantasies not at all, to my knowledge. The performances here are indeed excellent and the recordings are good for their day.
9 comments:
Quite powerful post/vinyl, both in music itself and conductors. Thank You very much! Let me just say that Ančerl was a humble good man, whose career was lifted up/supported in one key moment by David Oistrakh.
MPT - Yes, I like Ančerl myself; have since I first heard him conducting the Cleveland Orchestra on radio many decades ago! Thanks for your note and compliment!
Thank you!
Quel joli disque ! Merci beaucoup. La vie de Karel Ancerl fut difficile (il connut la déportation dans l'enfer des camps nazis) mais il fuit par la suite un chef admirable. Il avait été envisagé comme directeur de l'Orchestre de Paris. Ce fut Toronto qui profita de son talent.
Thierry - Oui, Ancerl était un chef d'orchestre très talentueux !
You're welcome, Grover!
As Thierry states above, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra profited greatly from Maestro Ančerl's time there (1969-73). He introduced many new composers to the orchestra, such as Janáček, Martinů, and Suk, and did much to continue to energize the organization after the departure of Seiji Ozawa.
Mozart wrote dances all his life long , confirming - if needed- that is it not a minor genre.
This a great recording and I must say that the Slavicky is a real discovery to me: it goes much beyond tunes dances as they are developed (all of them in ABA form) what allows to explore a lot and reveals so much of...Janacek modulations (Sinfonietta, Glagolitic Mass for instance....).
Bakala and then Ancerl (who has been ever in my very favorite conductors) are amazing. Thanks so much dear Buster for this gem !
Thanks, Jean - happy to provide something different!
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