Mikhail Rudy ~ Janácek - Piano Works

On this CD:

1. Work(s) Unspecified Sonata for piano
Composed by Leos Janacek
Performed by Mikhail Rudy

2. In the mists (V Mlhách), pieces (4) for piano, JW 8/22
Composed by Leos Janacek
Performed by Mikhail Rudy

3. Vzpomínka (Reminiscence), for piano, JW 8/32
Composed by Leos Janacek
Performed by Mikhail Rudy

4. On the Overgrown Path (Po zarostlém chodnícku), for piano, JW 8/17
Composed by Leos Janacek
Performed by Mikhail Rudy

5. Moravian Dances (3), for piano (combines JW 8/18 and JW 8/12)
Composed by Leos Janacek
Performed by Mikhail Rudy

Tracks:

Pohadka: I. Con Moto - Mikhail Rudy/Gary Hoffman
Pohadka: II. Con Moto - Mikhail Rudy/Gary Hoffman
Pohadka: III. Allegro - Mikhail Rudy/Gary Hoffman
Presto in e - Mikhail Rudy/Gary Hoffman
Vn Son: I. Con Moto - Mikhail Rudy/Pierre Amoyal
Vn Son: II. Ballada - Con Moto - Mikhail Rudy/Pierre Amoyal
Vn Son: III. Allegretto - Mikhail Rudy/Pierre Amoyal
Vn Son: IV. Adagio - Mikhail Rudy/Pierre Amoyal
Capriccio: I. Allegro - Mikahil Rudy
Capriccio: II. Adagio - Mikahil Rudy
Capriccio: III. Allegretto - Mikahil Rudy
Capriccio: IV. Andante - Mikahil Rudy
Concertino: I. Moderato - Mikahil Rudy
Concertino: II. Piu Mosso - Mikahil Rudy
Concertino: III. Con Moto - Mikahil Rudy
Concertino: IV. Allegro - Mikahil Rudy

Tracks:

Street Scene - Son: I. Foreboding
Street Scene - Son: II. Death
In The Mists: I. Andante
In The Mists: II. Molto Adagio
In The Mists: III. Andantino
In The Mists: IV. Presto
Reminiscence
On The Overgrown Path: Series 1/1: I. Our Evenings
On The Overgrown Path: Series 1/1: II. A Blown-Away Leaf
On The Overgrown Path: Series 1/1: III. Come With Us!
On The Overgrown Path: Series 1/1: IV. The Madonna Of Frydek
On The Overgrown Path: Series 1/1: V. They Chattered Like Swallows
On The Overgrown Path: Series 1/1: VI. Words Fail!
On The Overgrown Path: Series 1/1: VII. Good Night!
On The Overgrown Path: Series 1/1: VIII. Unutterable Anguish
On The Overgrown Path: Series 1/1: IX. In Tears
On The Overgrown Path: Series 1/1: X. The Barn Owl Has Not Flown Away
Po Zarostlem Chodnicku: Series 2/2: I. Andante
Po Zarostlem Chodnicku: Series 2/2: II. Allegretto
Po Zarostlem Chodnicku: Series 3/3, Paralipomena: I. Piu Mosso
Po Zarostlem Chodnicku: Series 3/3, Paralipomena: II. Allegro - Vivace
Po Zarostlem Chodnicku: Series 3/3, Paralipomena: III. Vivo
Three Moravian Dances: I. Ej, Danaj!
Three Moravian Dances: II. Celadensky
Three Moravian Dances: III. Pilky

Customer Reviews:

Stunning.......2004-01-16

Leos Janacek (1854- 1928)was one of classical music's true mavericks. His music ranges has a wide emotional spectrum and endless rhythmic interest. This 2 CD selection of his lesser-known chamber and instrumental works is exemplary. All artists have a strong feel for the motif style development and the quirky nature of the music. Mikhail Rudy gives very fine renditions of the beautiful Z Ulice Sonata and V Mlach, both of which deserve to be much better known. He mixes an innate feel for the music with seemingly limitless virtuosity. The first disk contains Janacek's important cello work Pohadka (Fairy Tale), here performed admirably by Gary Hoffman. The account of the beautiful 1922 Violin Sonata by Pierre Amoyal and Rudy is simply the best on record. These two artists capture the folksy and rhapsodic nature of the work and convey it with great flair. The two piano concertos are also vintage Janacek, written late in his career. The 1925 Concertino is a highly enjoyable piece, again played with warmth and sincerity by Rudy and accompanied very well by Sir Charles Mackerras (one of the world's leading Janacek specialists) and soloists from the National Opera Orchestra of Paris. Finally, the Capriccio for left handed pianist and a very eccentric ensemble of piccolo/flute, two trumpets, three trombones and a tenor tuba (1926). Rudy is exemplary as usual and the brass playing is very fine indeed. Particular mention should go to the Tenor Tuba player in the third movement. This is a very difficult and exposed solo for the instrument and it's played extremely well here. The only qualms I have with this performance is that the flautist has a rather thin sound. Otherwise this is a thoroughly enjoyable piece played with great feeling. This is one of the best collections of Janacek's music around, get it while you can!

Lesser known Janacek at bargain price.......2002-08-24

This is a must have for all who love Janacek's unusual music. You get to hear rarities in truly competent and moving performances. Pianist Mikhail Rudy is ideal. Sir Charles Mackerras' immense affinity for Janacek's oeuvre is almost legendary by now and quite rightly so. Cellist Gary Hoffman and violinist Pierre Amoyal nicely complement these high level renditions. Now available on EMI's Double Forte, i.e. 2 CD's for the price of one. All DDD.

Great addition to the library.......2002-06-13

For the purposes of my review, I'll stick to my specialty - the piano music. Rudolf Firkusny's readings of this music have long been the standards; he studied piano with Janacek (an odd choice - he wasn't much of a pianist), and his style for Janacek reflects the peculiar style of his teacher, as well as having a magnificent sweep of color. No one else could play the Sonata 1.X.1905 with such an incredible swath of colors. Since then, though, Janacek has become one of the best-played composers today; it is very difficult to find a bad recording of his music, and particularly the music for piano. Between the readings of Andsnes, Goode, and Schiff, there are several fantastic recordings to choose from.

Enter Mikhail Rudy, who continues this happy tradition, not without some issues. The Sonata 1.X.1905 is first up on the CD dedicated to the solo piano works; the tempi are in a good midrange for projecting the scope and meaning of this intense music, the range of dynamics is superb, and his phrasing is glorious. This is technically very awkward music, by the way. The only complaint I have is that he does not observe some of the microscopic, but crucial rests that Janacek notated in the second movement. (To be fair, Firkusny doesn't either.)

Next up is V Mlhách (In the Mist), which the writer of this review played during his time at Oberlin Conservatory. In Rudy's hands, the first movmeent flows beautifully, with a little bit of physical resistance felt in the rubato; the second movement could, again, benefit from a closer look at Janacek's rests; the third movement is glorious, mournful and sentimental without going over the edge; unfortunately, it does not end well, as the fourth movement is very loud, brittle and harsh, and the melodic line is often broken to the point that it is unrecognizable. Even when played smoothly, it is still the hardest of the four to hold together, and it really does not help that Rudy bangs through it.

Tracks:

Son: I. The Pressentiment
Son: II. The Death
In The Mist: I. Andante
In The Mist: II. Molto Adagio
In The Mist: III. Andante
In The Mist: IV. Presto
A Recollection
On An Overgrown Path: 1st Part: I. Our Evenings
On An Overgrown Path: 1st Part: II. A Blown Away Leaf
On An Overgrown Path: 1st Part: III. Come With Us!
On An Overgrown Path: 1st Part: IV. The Madonna Of Frydek
On An Overgrown Path: 1st Part: V. They Chattered Like Swallows
On An Overgrown Path: 1st Part: VI. Words Fail!
On An Overgrown Path: 1st Part: VII. Good Night!
On An Overgrown Path: 1st Part: VIII. Unutterable Anguish
On An Overgrown Path: 1st Part: IX. In Tears
On An Overgrown Path: 1st Part: X. The Barn Owl Has Not Flown Away
On An Overgrown Path: 2nd Part: I. Andante
On An Overgrown Path: 2nd Part: II. Allegretto
Paralipomena: I. Piu Mosso
Paralipomena: II. Allegro
Paralipomena: III. Vivo
Three Moravian Dances: Ej, Danaj!
Three Moravian Dances: Celadensky
Three Moravian Dances: Pilky

Janacek - Chamber Works / Hoffman · Rudy · Amoyal · Mackerras

Average customer rating:

Most Magical
Eclectic Janacek

Janacek - Chamber Works / Hoffman · Rudy · Amoyal · Mackerras
Leos Janácek , Sir Charles Mackerras , Gary Hoffman , Mikhail Rudy , Pierre Amoyal , and Paris National Opera Theater Orchestra
Manufacturer: EMI Records [All429]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000002RVW
Release Date: 1996-11-19

Tracks:

Conte: I. Con Moto - Gary Hoffman/Mikhail Rudy
Conte: II. Con Moto - Gary Hoffman/Mikhail Rudy
Conte: III. Allegro - Gary Hoffman/Mikhail Rudy
Presto in e - Gary Hoffman/Mikhail Rudy
Son: I. Con Moto - Pierre Amoyal/Mikhail Rudy
Son: II. Ballada - Con Moto - Pierre Amoyal/Mikhail Rudy
Son: III. Allegretto - Pierre Amoyal/Mikhail Rudy
Son: IV. Adagio - Pierre Amoyal/Mikhail Rudy
Capriccio: I. Allegro
Capriccio: II. Adagio
Capriccio: III. Allegretto
Capriccio: IV. Andante
Conc: I. Moderato
Conc: II. Piu Mosso
Conc: III. Con Moto
Conc: IV. Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Most Magical.......2002-10-08

I am listening to this for the millionth time as I write. This CD has become one of those perennial favorites that constantly haunts me. It is one of the most magical sets I own. Performance and sound quality are warm and open.

Eclectic Janacek.......2001-04-28

Let me begin by saying that this only my third disc of the music of Czech composer Leos Janacek. (The other two being "Piano Works" with Rudolf Firkusny on DG Originals, and "Intimate Letters" with the Juilliard String Quartet.) From the onset I have been impressed by Janacek's compositional style -- he seamlessly melds the passion of the great Romantic composers with the musical exploration and freedom of the early 20th Century composers, and in the process develops quite a unique voice. The chamber pieces collected here, performed by Sir Charles Mackerass and the Paris National Opera Orchestra (and its soloists Mikhail Rudy, Pierre Amoyal and Gary Hoffman), includes such diverse pieces as the Conte, Presto and Sonate, which are all for violin and piano, the Cappricio for piano and seven instruments, and the Concertino for piano and chamber orchestra. I find all of these pieces quite refreshing musically as I am literally surprised at every turn by Janacek's eclecticism. I am definitely looking forward to discovering more of the music of Janacek.

Music Track:

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