Sinfonietta / Glagolitic Mass

On this CD:

1. Sinfonietta for orchestra ("Military," "Sokol Festival"), JW 6/18
Composed by Leos Janacek
Performed by Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Bretislav Bakala

2. Mass (Msa glagolskaja) for soloists, double chorus, orchestra & organ ("Glagolitic Mass"), JW 3/9
Composed by Leos Janacek
Performed by Brno Radio Symphony Orchestra with Libuse Domaninska
Conducted by Bretislav Bakala

Sinfonietta / Glagolitic Mass, Music, Janacek, Domaninska, Jurenova, Bakala, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Orchestral & Symphonic

Janacek: Sinfonietta/Glagolitic Mass - Felicity Palmer, Malcolm King, Sir Simon Rattle, Philharmonia Orchestra
Average customer rating:

A more lyrical approach to Janacek's "mass for atheists"

two masterworks

Thrilling and powerful - the best of Janacek

Janacek: Sinfonietta/Glagolitic Mass - Felicity Palmer, Malcolm King, Sir Simon Rattle, Philharmonia Orchestra
Leos Janácek , Simon Rattle , Felicity Palmer , Malcolm King , John Mitchinson , Ameral Gunson , Jane Parker-Smith , City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus & Orchestra , and Philharmonia Orchestra
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000K4FH
Release Date: 1999-09-14

Tracks:

Sinfonietta: I: Allegretto (Fanfare) - Simon Rattle
Sinfonietta: II: Andante (The Spilberg Castle, Brno)
Sinfonietta: III: Moderato (The Queen's Monastery, Brno)
Sinfonietta: IV. Allegretto (The Street Leading To The Castle)
Sinfonietta: Andante con moto (The Town Hall, Brno)
Glagolitic Mass: I: Introduction
Glagolitic Mass: II: Kyrie
Glagolitic Mass: III: Gloria
Glagolitic Mass: IV: Credo
Glagolitic Mass: V: Sanctus
Glagolitic Mass: VI: Agnus Dei
Glagolitic Mass: VII: Organ solo
Glagolitic Mass: VIII: Intrada

Customer Reviews:

A more lyrical approach to Janacek's "mass for atheists".......2006-05-18

The Glagolitic Mass is a barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world. It still has the power to shock, but once Janacek's fierce idiom sinks in, the shouting chorus, berserk organ obligatto, and spiky Slavic flavor become addictive. To be honest, one performance sounds about the same as another--there have been many fine Czech recordings over the years. I'm not sure that Rattle is preferable to Bernstein, Kubelik, or Chailly, just to mention three big-name conductors who have given us good versions (Chailly's is the most refined, slowest, and least Czech--a Viennese perspective that works).

Rattle's reading tends toward the lyrical, providing unexpectedly tender shading in the opening movement. His tenor and soprano must negotiate high-flying lines that verge on the grotesquerie of Carmina Burana, and they do well, although it's impossible for any singer to keep perfectly in tune. I suppose one could comb through every recording to find the best soloists (many of the Czech versions feature a curdled Slavic tonality), yet the strained vocal lines are true to the rough-hewn nature of the piece. The filler to this ungenerous CD is a good, if smoothed out, reading of the popular Sinfonietta.

two masterworks.......2005-06-20

There are four Czech masters in music history: in chronological order - Smetana - Dvorak - Janacek - Weinberger. As you know, Smetana and Dvorak are romantics and masters of Czech national music. Jaromir Weinberger has a famous and one-hit-wonder opera "Svanda the Bagpiper". But third of them, Janacek is the most modern composer. He is a very succesful opera and orchestral work composer. His musical language is not similar to any composer. And his music is very amazing.

This CD is a very good choice for start to listen Janacek. It includes his landmark work "Sinfonietta". This work was dedicated to Czech army forces. It's famous opening fanfare, which written for huge brass, (including 12 trumpets, 4 trombones!) is very impressive. This work has favour of Czech national music.

Glagolitic Mass is one of the most beautiful and succesful 20th century choral music. This music is one of the latest works of Janacek. And it's not has favour of national music and not too religious, too. Rather than, it is majestic and it has the atmosphere of death, pessimism, dark colours. And it's very amazing, fantastic work which written for large ensemble, including terrific organ sound. And Czech language has a very interesting timbre at music.

The performers are excellent both conducted by Simon Rattle. Sinfonietta played by Philharmonia Orch., Mass performed by Birmingham Orch. and Chorus. This recording can compare only with Charles Mackerras (Janacek expert of our time).

Highly recommended for any Janacek admirers and other music lovers.

Thrilling and powerful - the best of Janacek.......2001-05-13

One of EMI's great recordings, this was in fact the first completely digital recording of the "Glagolitic Mass" to be made. The young Simon Rattle does it and the "Sinfonietta" full justice.

What of the music? Both these works date from the last years of Janacek's life and show his creative maturity in full bloom. His "Sinfonietta" is possibly the apex of his ethnomusical work in that it is positively dripping with Moravian folk-style motifs, projecting the heart and soul of Brno and its people as seen by the composer through his early-century collecting and absorbing of real folk music. Its five movements take us on a pictorial tour of the city of Brno, where Janacek spent most of his life living and working. The opening fanfare could almost qualify as a Janacek signature theme, just as the bassoon solo at the start of "The Rite of Spring" and the flute solo at the opening of "Prelude a l'apres midi d'une faune" are the signature tunes of Stravinsky and Debussy respectively. Beyond it lie four further movements of memorable melodies and rich orchestral harmonies: busy clarinets and strings at the start of the second movement; the curiously subdued harmonic progressions in the third movement that also seem to ache with longing at times; the lively and charming interplay between woodwind and strings (with a cameo from a rather loud bell!) in the fourth movement; and finally the beautiful final movement with its extended build-up to a reprise of the fanfare and an unforgettable climax. It is one of the great orchestral works of the last century, and in it Janacek certainly does not make it easy for the players. Simon Rattle and the Philarmonia Orchestra take the bull by the horns, however - they make it all sound effortless, and really seem to be getting down to the heart of the music. A rivetting and spellbinding performance.

If anything, the "Glagolitic Mass" is even more spellbinding. I have to admit I find it a constantly puzzling work: Janacek was an atheist, and surprised many contemporaries with this setting of the Mass in the old Slavic language. It exhibits youthful freshness in its exploration of the words: the "Kyrie" or "Ghospodi pomiluy" is by turns tender and anguished; "Slava" ("Gloria") begins with a wonderful, joyful evocation of what might be a Sunday morning scene with its opening soprano solo and fluttering accompaniment; "Veruju" is an extended Creed setting making full use of dialogue between chorus, soloists and players, punctuated by a recurring motif on the opening word ("I believe"); the "Svet" ("Sanctus") is pure bounce and playfulness, again presenting a melting dialogue between the forces. In "Agnece Bozhe" ("Agnus Dei") Janacek creates some otherworldly orchestral effects as a backdrop to a quietly passionate plea for mercy from the choir, developed into a dark and disturbing discourse by the soloists. Framing the work is a Prelude at the start and Intrada at the end, the one ushering the austereness of the work in from the opening bars whilst the other brings the work to a frantic conclusion. There is also a virtuosic movement for solo organ, reflecting Janacek's skill as an organist (he taught for many years at the Brno Organ School). The whole is a composition of symphonic power and textural poetry, and I find it fascinating and bewildering as a statement of faith from someone that did not believe in God, although he certainly believed in the strength of his native culture and did all he could to preserve it in the music. Here too, Rattle directs with energy, inspiring the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Chorus to meet the various challenges head on. It is to my mind a definitive performance, allowing the music to speak clearly for itself. Honourable mention also to the soloists: Felicity Palmer (soprano) and John Mitchinson (tenor) have the hardest parts and their interpretation is stunning, even moving in places despite the obvious strains placed on them - I cannot imagine any singer having an easy time with this piece! Jane Parker-Smith's organ playing is worth mentioning as well - she fits into the orchestral dialogues very smoothly in the "Slava" and "Veruju," and her reading of the difficult solo movement is nothing short of astounding. Strongly recommended to Janacek enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Janácek: Glagolitic Mass; Sinfonietta
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Hair raising

Janácek: Glagolitic Mass; Sinfonietta

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000027IN
Release Date: 1992-07-14

Tracks:

I. Uvod (Introduction)
II. Gospodi pomiluj (Kyrie)
III. Slava (Gloria)
IV. Veruju (Credo)
V. Svet (Sanctus)
VI. Agnece Bozij (Agnus Dei)
VII. Varhany solo (Organ)
VIII. Intrada
I. Allegretto
II. Andante - Allegretto
III. Moderato
IV. Allegretto
V. Andante con moto

Customer Reviews:

Hair raising.......2004-05-13

I have to say, I've heard most of the major recordings of these 2 works, and I find this by far the most exciting. Tilson-Thomas really let the LSO off the lead, even to the extent of letting the trumpets in the last bar of the Sinfonietta play up the octave. They were obviously having the time of their lives. Some of the Tempos are a bit ambiguous, but with such exquisite wind playing, and powerful brass (all the top London players were on these sessions), who cares! The sound engineering is marvellous too, recorded in a wonderful old church in London, the antiphional qualities of the Sinfonietta really work. Just to add the penultimate organ movement in the Mass was also performed by St Paul's Cathedral's fabulous organist. A must have for those who appreciate the virtuoso qualities of these works.

Janácek: Chamber Music & Orchestral Works

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Janácek: Chamber Music & Orchestral Works

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0001Y4JH0
Release Date: 2004-10-12

Janacek: Msa Glagolskaja & Sinfonietta / Varady, Doufexis, Prolat, Rose, Gast; Imbal

Average customer rating:

Inbal's "Msa Glagolskaja" is a stunning achievement!

Janacek: Msa Glagolskaja & Sinfonietta / Varady, Doufexis, Prolat, Rose, Gast; Imbal
Leos Janácek , Eliahu Inbal , Julia Varady , Stella Doufexis , Deutsches-Symphonie Orchester Berlin , Valentin Prolat , Peter Rose , and Arvid Gast
Manufacturer: Denon Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000063G1
Release Date: 1998-03-17

Tracks:

Msa Glagolskaja: I. Intro - Deutsches SO Berlin/Eliahu Inbal
Msa Glagolskaja: II. Kyrie - Julia Varady/Stella Doufexis/Valentin Prolat/Peter Rose/Berlin Radio Chor/Gerd Muller-Lorenz
Msa Glagolskaja: III. Gloria - Julia Varady/Stella Doufexis/Valentin Prolat/Peter Rose/Berlin Radio Chor/Gerd Muller-Lorenz
Msa Glagolskaja: IV. Credo - Julia Varady/Stella Doufexis/Valentin Prolat/Peter Rose/Berlin Radio Chor/Gerd Muller-Lorenz
Msa Glagolskaja: V. Sanctus - Julia Varady/Stella Doufexis/Valentin Prolat/Peter Rose/Berlin Radio Chor/Gerd Muller-Lorenz
Msa Glagolskaja: VI. Agnus Dei - Julia Varady/Stella Doufexis/Valentin Prolat/Peter Rose/Berlin Radio Chor/Gerd Muller-Lorenz
Msa Glagolskaja: VII. Organ Solo - Arvid Gast
Msa Glagolskaja: VIII. Intrada - Deutsches SO Berlin/Eliahu Inbal
Sinfonietta: I. Allegretto-Allegro-Maestoso - Deutsches SO Berlin/Eliahu Inbal
Sinfonietta: II. Andante - Deutsches SO Berlin/Eliahu Inbal
Sinfonietta: III. Moderato - Deutsches SO Berlin/Eliahu Inbal
Sinfonietta: IV. Allegretto-Presto - Deutsches SO Berlin/Eliahu Inbal
Sinfonietta: V. Andante con moto. Allegretto - Deutsches SO Berlin/Eliahu Inbal

Amazon.com

Here's a word one wouldn't normally use to describe a performance of this music: transparent. Eliahu Inbal and Denon's engineers make every detail of Janácek's complex orchestration and rhythmic interplay audible. Such clarity could show up the performers' weaknesses, but they have none. Especially good are the soloists: in strenuous parts that reduce many singers to wobbly shouting, this quartet is as easy on the ear as you'll find. While Inbal's slowish tempos and attention to detail reveal passages of surprising tenderness, they don't bring out the music's full cathartic savagery. This performance is satisfying intellectually and aurally, but if you want your Janácek with a dose of good healthy frenzy, try the recordings on Supraphon: Charles Mackerras for the Mass, Karel Ancerl or Vaclav Neumann for the Sinfonietta. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Inbal's "Msa Glagolskaja" is a stunning achievement!.......2000-06-12

Matthew Westphal's description of Eliahu Inbal's performance of Janacek's "Msa Glagolskaja" is dead on -- Inbal takes this incredibly complex music and makes it transparent!

To which I will add: This is also an amazingly good performance! The soloists' parts truly border on the impossible, and yet they make it sound easy to sing!

This is a full-blooded, vibrant, Heaven-storming performance of one of the greatest 20th century religious works. The "Slava" and "Svet" movements, in particularly, are absolutely gorgeous. If you're going to get one Janacek CD, this is the one you should get!

Sinfonietta / Glagolitic Mass
Average customer rating:

The Benchmark Recordings

The Janacek's real spirit.

Sinfonietta / Glagolitic Mass
Janacek , Domaninska , Jurenova , and Bakala
Manufacturer: Supraphon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000068R3V
Release Date: 2002-06-18

Tracks:

I. Allegretto - Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
II. Andante - Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
III. Moderato - Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
IV. Allegretto - Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
V. Andante Con Moto - Allegretto - Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
I. Introduction - Josef Valka
II. Kyrie Eleison - Josef Valka
III. Gloria - Josef Valka
IV. Credo - Josef Valka
V. Sanctus - Josef Valka
VI. Agnus Dei - Josef Valka
VII. Postludium (Organ Solo) - Josef Valka
VIII. Exodus - Josef Valka

Customer Reviews:

The Benchmark Recordings.......2005-04-23

Supraphon has done a great job of re-mastering these classic recordings from the early 1950's, which allows me to finally retire my battered old LPs. To hear Janacek pupil Bretislav Bakala (1897-1958) play his mentor's works is like hearing Talich conduct Dvorak or Clemens Krauss directing Johann Strauss: these are wholly idiomatic, "in the vein" performances that establish the interpretive benchmark for both works. Even the old sound cannot diminish the primitive splendor of Bakala's Sinfonietta. The Mass is captured in somewhat brighter sonics (both are very listenable). Among this Mass's many attractions is the insanely-inspired organ playing of Frantisek Michalek, who would have been perfect casting for the demented organist in the original "Phantom of the Opera."

The closest thing to these pioneering Bakala accounts - with the added advantage of excellent stereo sound - is Ancerl's near-equal recording of each work (also for Supraphon). Between these two conductors, Janacek's masterpieces never had it any better. To my ears, they make all other recordings sound rather irrelevant.

Highest recommendation.

The Janacek's real spirit........2002-08-18

Bakala was a Janacek's pupil. The two recordings are absolutely terrific, although the sound is not perfect, if we compare with the digital recordings - but very pleasant, if you are not a "sound freak". The interpretation that Bakala gives to Glagolitic Mass is superb, and this great choral page emerge sublime and powerful, how Janacek one day have intended. Even Mackerras, today the greatest Janacek's studious, don't have the special touch that have Bakala to conduct your old master. If you love Janacek, you'll love this record.