Search - Janacek, Domaninska, Jurenova :: Sinfonietta / Glagolitic Mass

The Janacek's real spirit.

rinaldi36 | 08/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

The Benchmark Recordings

Jeffrey Lipscomb | Sacramento, CA United States | 04/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."