In addition to my other musical pursuits – all things 20th Century, Haydn, Beethoven, Mahler, Thelonius Monk (recently started), Renee Rosnes, some Guilty Pleasures, others – I also find time to revel in the music of that whole Czech / Slovakian / Bohemian / Moravian sound. You know what I mean – Dvorak, Martinu, Janacek, Suk, Smetana. It’s just so lyrical, so happy.
I prefer my Dvorak and Smetana all Kubeliked up, having his complete cycle of Dvorak’s symphonies (Kertesz, eat your heart out) and Slavonic Dances, and two of his versions of Ma Vlast: the first on Mercury (Great) and his last on Supraphon (The Greatest).
It’s a little harder to find his music for the other composers, but I’m definitely shooting for his renditions of Taras Bulba and the Sinfonietta.
Moving to the composers, as one always must, I have most of the basic Dvorak repertoire, and then some (about 17 discs worth). In all that, I only have two – yes, only two – versions of the 9th symphony: Kubelik’s and Bernstein’s early ‘60s version. Any additional suggestions here?
Turning to the Cello Concerto, I have Yo-Yo Ma’s ‘86 version with Maazel and the BPO. Any suggestions for this greatest of all cello concertos?
And then, of course, there are Dvorak’s string quartets. I only have two discs worth – the Vlach Quartet Prague on Naxos – of the 10th, American, 13th, and 14th. I very much enjoy their performances of these works (and Janacek’s, as well). They’re so idiomatic, so lovely. So much so, in fact, that I believe that more versions should be considered, especially of the 10th and 12th. Any suggestions here? And any other noteworthy quartets?
I’m more or less satisfied with the other works I have – the other concertos and serenades. Any suggestions, would of course be welcome.
And as for the other composers: any suggestions here? (I’m already salivating for the next Martinu string quartet disc on Naxos, any other versions being hard to find in my area.)
Posted on: 11 November 2000 by Franz K
I would like to add a few favorites of me to that list.
Smetana's second String Qurtett which he wrote when he was completely deaf sufferning the same fate as Beethoven. This piece is one of the most emotionally gripping pices I know togeter with his Piano Trio which I think he wrote after the death of his daugther. (related to Smetanas Qurtett and similarly moving is Mendelsohns late String Quartett op 80 which he wrote when his beloved sister Fanny died.)
Another recording of Dvoraks Cello Concerto which I favour over the recording by Rostropovich is the one with Lynn Harell. (I dont know which label it apeared on)I remember listening to it on vinyl at my paretns home over and over again.
I bought a CD version of it a couple of years but I never liked it as much as I liked the LP-version. Also the violin concerto from Dvorak is wonderful. My favorite version of it was a recording with David Oistrach on Vinyl. ( I think it was a russian label). I now have a CD version of the concerto with Izak Perlman but from my memory I still prefer the Oistrach recording.
Fran
[This message was edited by Franz K on SATURDAY 11 November 2000 at 21:54.]
Posted on: 15 November 2000 by Todd A
Franz, I second your enthusiasm for the second quartet and for the piano trio. I assume you already have versions of both, but I gotta write that the Naxos version of the trio - along with Suk's trio and Novak's trio - is a super bargain, indeed. Great stuff.
Posted on: 15 June 2002 by Peter Litwack
Here are some of my favorites:
Dvorak
Quintet with Double Bass, Op. 77
Serenade for Winds and Strings, Op. 44
Serenade for Strings, Op. 22
I have Czech recordings of the first two on the old Supraphon label (vinyl), which I really enjoy. I haven't looked to see if they're available on CD, but I do think Czech groups usually have an edge in this repertoire. My recording of the Serenade for Strings is conducted by Stokowski, and it is, as you would expect, very lush. A beautiful piece.
Janacek
One of my very favorite composers. Aside from the usual suspects (String Quartets 1 & 2, Sinfonietta, Taras Bulba, Glagolitic Mass) I would highly recommend the following:
Choruses for Male Choir (there are quite a few)
Choruses for Female Choir (three)
Mladi (for wind sextet)
The Cunning Little Vixen (I have the Mackerras version)
Jenufa (I saw this last December - terrific!)
Kata Kabanova
I found that familiarity with Janacek's choral music really enhanced my enjoyment of the operas, whose choral sections are some of the most beautiful and complex music ever written. What a great and original composer!
Randon thought - if you consider Janacek a rare and highly refined acquired taste, check out the film "The Tree of Wooden Clogs" by Ermanno Olmi.
Posted on: 16 June 2002 by Todd A
I just received (as a Father's day present - bless those manufactured holidays!) and listened to Ivan Moravec playing Czech music on Supraphon. The disc contains a variety of live performances of music by Smetana, Suk (Op 7, Nos 1 & 2), and an unknown (to me) Oldrich Korte. A 1960s recording of Suk's Mother is thrown in for good measure. What a wonderful disc! The Smetana is extremely fine, rivalling if not besting Andras Schiff's wonderful recent survey of Smetana's polkas. Treasure indeed. Moravec seems to love the music, and it shows. The live Suk pieces were clearly the encores and while he was sight-reading (dig those turning pages), he delivers the goods. The suite (?) Mother is indeed exceptionally moving in parts and is a neglected work. When played by a pianist of Moravec's quality, doubts about quality simply disappear. And then there is that curiosity by Korte. It is a piano sonata from the early 1950s. The liner notes expound on its modernity, but the opening movement is more lyrical and nostalgic than modernist. I guess this may reveal my prejudice toward and for "modern" music. The second movement is more modernist and is fine. I would not label it a masterpiece, but it is a fine, fine work. The live 1984 Supraphon sound trumps the 2000 Haennsler sound of Moravec's Prague concert. I highly recommend this disc. A winner!
Posted on: 10 July 2002 by Todd A
The Karel Ancerl set in the Great Conductors of the 20th Century series. Just buy it. 'Nuff said.
Okay, a little more. But for a brief Shostakovich piece, the twofer is all Czech music. The highlights are an incredible Taras Bulba, a quite fine Dvorak 8th, and an exceptional Martinu 5th. The remasterings are truly remarkable given the source.
