Search - Leos Janacek, Gregory Rose, Jiri Belohlavek :: Leos Janácek: Idyll; Suite; Sinfonietta; Jealousy Overture; The Fiddler's Child; The Cunning Little Vixen Suite

A very good selection, including a superb Sinfonietta and Vi

G.D. | Norway | 02/15/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a very worthwhile collection of Janacek orchestral works, although the selection might strike some as a little strange. The Idyll and the Suite for strings are early works, more reminiscent of Grieg and Dvorak than later Janacek - indeed, it would be hard to guess the composer just by listening to the music. That said, there are some quirky harmonic shifts and a few details which might give attentive listeners some clues. But even if not characteristic, these are fine works, well worth hearing, and they are given generally fine performances here.



The famous Sinfonietta also receives an admirable performance, even if it perhaps isn't quite the best available - Belohlavek's colors are exactly right, but one could wish for a more dynamic account of the last movement. That said, the inner movements are marvelous with some excellent woodwind playing but more importantly a masterly ability on Belohlavek's (and the players') part to conjure up the right moods and atmospheres. In the end, this is a glorious version which demands to be heard even if the final movement is a little too restrained. The other well-known work here, Taras Bulba, doesn't fare quite as well. Again, Belohlavek draws color and atmosphere from his players, and again there is some admirable woodwind playing, but the performance lacks urgency and intensity - the sharp contrasts in the work are slightly dulled; the almost feverishly prophetic quality of the work is replaced with something resembling resignation in the face of fate.



The lesser known works are good, however. The grimness and serenely atmospheric ending of The Fiddler's Child is superbly realized, and the suite from The Cunning Little Vixen is gorgeously and sumptuously atmospheric - this is in my view some of the most magical music ever written and Belohlavek and his players fully capture that magic (the suite is a reorchestration by Talich of act I of the opera, by the way, made somewhat lusher than the original to better fit a orchestra-only performances - no one should miss hearing the whole opera, however). The short overture Jealousy is performed with flair as well.



In short, this is a very recommendable collection - 5 stars for the Sinfonietta, the Fiddler's Child and the Vixen suite, 3 stars for Taras Bulba and 4 for the rest. Sound quality is superb, which should also count for something."