Search - Leos Janacek, Libor Pesek, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra :: Janacek: Orchestral Works - Danube; Moravian Dances; Suite, Op. 3

Jancek's not so bad after all...

Jeffrey Harris | Texas | 07/05/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I noticed that no one has reviewed this CD yet, so I thought I'd write a quick one. I don't particularly care for Janacek's operas. Like most people, I enjoy the Sinfonietta, but that's about as far as it went...until I heard this CD. This is really delightful orchestral music in good performances with lots of Czech character. If you like the lighter side of Dvorak (dances, etc) then you'll probably enjoy this. It's a mix of early and late works, and I'm surprised that I enjoy both equally. One thinks of Janacek's later music as being somehow forbidding and difficult, but this is quite accessible.



In the third movement of "Danube", you will hear a soprano who is a bit shrill. But the music Janacek has given her to sing so shrilly is absolutely memorable and lovely! Her singing is the only flaw in this recording.



This can be obtained very inexpensively as a used CD on amazon. I suggest you grab a copy!"