Leoš Janáček - Glagolitic Mass; Taras Bulba (Karel Ančerl)

Information

Composer: Leoš Janáček

• Glagolitic Mass
• Taras Bulba, rhapsody for orchestra

Libuše Domanínská, soprano

Věra Soukupová, contralto

Beno Blachut, tenor

Eduard Haken, bass

Jaroslav Vodrazka, organ

Prague Philharmonic Choir

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

Karel Ančerl, conductor

Date: 1963; 1961

Label: Supraphon

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Review

What is there to say? These recordings have served as reference editions in this repertoire since the day they were recorded, and so they remain. Karel Ancerl’s Taras Bulba captures the music’s drama, strength, and color as few other versions have–for a case in point, just listen to the opening of the second movement, with its rippling harp against slashing strings–and his few amendments to Janácek’s quirky orchestration (timpani at the very end, for example) are both logical and tasteful. Glorious playing by the Czech Philharmonic and excellently balanced recorded sound complete an irresistible package.

To all of these virtues, in the Glagolitic Mass add the stunning singing of the Prague Philharmonic Choir and a stellar line-up of soloists (including legendary Czech tenor Beno Blachut), and the result is a performance for the ages. Charles Mackerras and Rafael Kubelik may find more energy in the Gloria and parts of the Credo, but no one matches Ancerl’s particularly powerful mix of fervor and dignity in the vocal movements, and no one, but no one, makes a more joyously raucous, roof-raising, nose-thumbing, totally secular commotion in the closing “Intrada”.

As remastered these performances sound better than ever: they remain among the finest to come from Supraphon and fully deserve the “10” rating. Doubters should simply listen to the incomparably grand last few minutes of Taras Bulba, from the entry of the organ on through to the end. If for any reason you haven’t acquired these classic accounts of two musical masterpieces, don’t hesitate any longer. There’s so much musical wisdom, warmth, and life-affirming joy in these performances that I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if they moved you to tears. [11/16/2002]

— David Hurwitz

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Leoš Janáček (3 July 1854 – 12 August 1928) was a Czech composer, one of the most important exponents of musical nationalism of the 20th century. He studied at the Prague, Leipzig, and Vienna conservatories. His earlier works was influenced by contemporaries such as Dvořák, but later he began to incorporate his studies of national folk music and language to create a highly original synthesis. Janáček's later works, which are his most celebrated, include operas Káťa Kabanová and The Cunning Little Vixen, the Sinfonietta, the Glagolitic Mass, the rhapsody Taras Bulba, two string quartets, and other chamber works.

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Karel Ančerl (11 April 1908 – 3 July 1973) was a Czechoslovak conductor. Born in southern Bohemia, he studied music in Prague and Strasbourg, and was a student of Václav Talich. During WWII, he was imprisoned in Theresienstadt and later Auschwitz; he survived but losing his wife and son. After the war, he became Artistic Director of the Czech Philharmonic, gaining international acclaim. Following the 1968 Soviet invasion, he emigrated to Canada, leading the Toronto Symphony until his death. Ančerl is remembered for his performances of contemporary music and for his interpretations of music by Czech composers.

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