JANACEK: Sinfonietta; Taras Bulba – Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, Tomáš Netopil SUPRAPHON

This album has received following awards:

Gramophone Editor’s Choice (2014)
Leoš Janáček – Sinfonietta, Taras Bulba – Rhapsody for Orchestra; The Fiddler’s Child – Ballad for Orchestra; The Ballad of Blaník – Symphonic Poem

Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra, conductor: Tomáš Netopil

Janáček did not write a great quantity of symphonic works. Besides the Lachian Dances and an outline of the symphony Danube, they merely number the four compositions on this CD: three symphonic poems and the celebrated Sinfonietta. The symphonic poems, created within eight years between 1913 and 1920, reflect the turbulent political events and social tensions of the time, as well as Janáček’s keen interest in Czech and Russian literature. The Ballad of Blaník is based on a poem by Jaroslav Vrchlický, while The Fiddler’s Child was written to verses by Svatopluk Čech. When reading Gogol’s novella Taras Bulba, Janáček was impressed by its hero, a Cossack chieftain, and referred to the author as the “prophet of the Slavs”. Sinfonietta, indisputably the most significant Janáček orchestral piece, was premiered in June 1926 in Prague by Václav Talich with the Czech Philharmonic. Tomáš Netopil, the winner of the Sir Georg Solti International Conducting Competition and a regular guest of leading orchestras (Berliner Philharmoniker, London Philharmonic, etc.) and prestigious opera stages worldwide, has materialised his singular vision of Janáček’s music in the recording made with the splendid Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Reviews
“[in The Ballad of Blaník & the Fiddler’s Child] Netopil shows that he is a subtle and meticulous Janáček interpreter, while the Prague players prove they can produce playing of real delicacy and tonal refinement.“
The Guardian, 23rd May 2013

“A superb programme…The substantially gifted Tomáš Netopil has the full measure of all four works…You hear everything and yet not a single note obtrudes. An absolute winner.“
Gramophone, 23rd August 2013

Leoš Janáček
Sinfonietta
1. Allegretto 02:18
2. Andante 06:00
3. Moderato 05:08
4. Allegretto 02:54
5. Andante con moto. Allegretto 07:11
Leoš Janáček
6. The Fiddler’s Child. Ballad based on the poem by Svatopluk Čech 12:53
Leoš Janáček
7. The Ballad of Blaník. Symphonic poem based on Jaroslav Vrchlický 08:23
Leoš Janáček
Taras Bulba. Rhapsody for Orchestra based on N.V.Gogol’s novel
8. The Death of Andrei 08:58
9. The Death of Ostap 05:15
10. The Prophecy and Death of Taras Bulba 09:30