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Janacek: Jenufa / Vejzovic, Briscein, Vermillion, Kaftan, Graz Philharmonic
Oehms Classics

Janacek: Jenufa / Vejzovic, Briscein, Vermillion, Kaftan, Graz Philharmonic

$31.99

Details

Composer
JANACEK, LEOS
Artist
Kaftan, Vejzovic, Briscein, Reinhard, Vermilli
Format
CD
Label
Oehms Classics
Released
Jul 10, 2015
Catalog #
OC962
UPC
4260034869622

About

Jenufa was Janácek’s third opera, based on the play Její pastorkyna “Her Stepdaughter”, by Gabriela Preissová. The libretto is a grim tale of complicated relationships in a village context, with violence and tragedy driving the drama. More importantly, this is the opera in which Janácek’s distinctive musical voice became more established after the folk-influenced Romanticism of his earlier period.

There are quite a few recordings of Jenufa around these days, and I pulled out my copy of the classic 1977 Supraphon recording conducted by František Jílek by way of orientation. I had forgotten quite how good this is, and still sounding very fresh despite its vintage. I was glad to have it to hand, since the libretto in the booklet for this Graz recording is given only in Czech and German, the Supraphon edition helping us out with both English and French as well.

The Graz cast is good, with the main characters all strong enough and mostly well characterised. There are a few weaker moments, but I’m reluctant to point out any names in particular since voices I’d marked up as being weaker links tended to redeem themselves further along. Recorded live, this Graz recording is very much a theatre version as you would expect, so if you are used to more opulent versions such as the EMI, now Warner Classics Prague recording with Libuse Domaninská conducted by Bohumil Gregor this might seem a step backwards. There are advantages to be heard however. The vocal balance is much more natural in the Oper Graz, and while the scale is less grand the orchestral detail is more direct, the impact of the drama less extravagantly ‘operatic’, if you follow my meaning. If language is an issue then Chandos’s version in English might be of interest, but you still need the libretto to hand to really be able to follow what is going on. With Janácek’s specific connections with the setting of his native language to music this always sounds like a distortion too far for me – even with the authoritative conducting of Sir Charles Mackerras.

This Graz production is not the last word on Jenufa. That honour probably has to go to Elisabeth Söderström and Sir Charles Mackerras with the Vienna Philharmonic on Decca, but this Oehms Classics recording is a version which will grow on you. Personally, I have to admit finding it hard to avoid being drawn back to the special character brought to the title role by Gabriela Benacková in that Supraphon recording. There is no denying that the strength of an all-Czech cast and orchestra is very compelling in this opera. Gal James is very good as well though, and deeply affecting in crucial moments such as Scene 6 in Act 2 where, all alone, Jenufa sings of her baby as yet oblivious to the unfolding tragedy. The Stepmother’s anguished cry towards the end is truly chilling, and stands as an emblem for the admirably realistic approach in this production – one you can add to your collection with confidence.

-- Dominy Clements, MusicWeb International

Tracklist 26 tracks

  1. Disc 1
  2. 1 Act I: Prelude 01:52
    Track
    1
    Title
    Act I: Prelude
    Duration
    01:52
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Ensemble
    Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  3. 2 Act I: Uz se vecer chyli (Jenufa, alte Buryja, Laca, Jano) 10:28
    Track
    2
    Title
    Act I: Uz se vecer chyli (Jenufa, alte Buryja, Laca, Jano)
    Duration
    10:28
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Gal James, Dunja Vejzovic, Ales Briscein, Nazanin Ezazi
    Ensemble
    Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  4. 3 Act I: Co to robis, mladku? (Altgesell, Laca, Jenufa, alte Buryja, Kusterin Buryja) 05:25
    Track
    3
    Title
    Act I: Co to robis, mladku? (Altgesell, Laca, Jenufa, alte Buryja, Kusterin Buryja)
    Duration
    05:25
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    David McShane, Ales Briscein, Gal James, Dunja Vejzovic, Iris Vermillion
    Ensemble
    Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  5. 4 Act I: Co ty, Jenufo, za mamickou nevejdes? (alte Buryja, Jenufa, Rekruten, Steva Buryja, Altgesell) 02:27
    Track
    4
    Title
    Act I: Co ty, Jenufo, za mamickou nevejdes? (alte Buryja, Jenufa, Rekruten, Steva Buryja, Altgesell)
    Duration
    02:27
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Dunja Vejzovic, Gal James, Taylan Reinhard, David McShane
    Ensemble
    Chor der Oper Graz, Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  6. 5 Act I: Dusa moja, Stevo, Stevusko (Jenufa, Steva Buryja, Chorus) 04:22
    Track
    5
    Title
    Act I: Dusa moja, Stevo, Stevusko (Jenufa, Steva Buryja, Chorus)
    Duration
    04:22
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Gal James, Taylan Reinhard
    Ensemble
    Chor der Oper Graz, Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  7. 6 Act I: A tak bychom sli celym zivotem (Kusterin Buryja, Jenufa, Rekruten, alte Buryja, Laca, Altgesell) 09:18
    Track
    6
    Title
    Act I: A tak bychom sli celym zivotem (Kusterin Buryja, Jenufa, Rekruten, alte Buryja, Laca, Altgesell)
    Duration
    09:18
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Iris Vermillion, Gal James, Dunja Vejzovic, Ales Briscein, David McShane
    Ensemble
    Chor der Oper Graz, Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  8. 7 Act I: Stevo, Stevo, ja vim (Jenufa, Steva Buryja, alte Buryja) 05:52
    Track
    7
    Title
    Act I: Stevo, Stevo, ja vim (Jenufa, Steva Buryja, alte Buryja)
    Duration
    05:52
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Gal James, Dunja Vejzovic, Taylan Reinhard
    Ensemble
    Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  9. 8 Act I: Jaka razem vsecko to Stevkovo (Laca, Jenufa, alte Buryja, Altgesell, Barena) 04:52
    Track
    8
    Title
    Act I: Jaka razem vsecko to Stevkovo (Laca, Jenufa, alte Buryja, Altgesell, Barena)
    Duration
    04:52
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Ales Briscein, Gal James, Dunja Vejzovic, David McShane, Xiaoyi Xu
    Ensemble
    Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  10. 9 Act II: Prelude 01:16
    Track
    9
    Title
    Act II: Prelude
    Duration
    01:16
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Ensemble
    Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  11. 10 Act II: Necham jeste dvere otevreny (Kusterin Buryja, Jenufa) 07:52
    Track
    10
    Title
    Act II: Necham jeste dvere otevreny (Kusterin Buryja, Jenufa)
    Duration
    07:52
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Iris Vermillion, Gal James
    Ensemble
    Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  12. 11 Act II: Ba, ta tvoje okenicka (Kusterin Buryja) 02:07
    Track
    11
    Title
    Act II: Ba, ta tvoje okenicka (Kusterin Buryja)
    Duration
    02:07
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Iris Vermillion
    Ensemble
    Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  13. 12 Act II: Tetko Kostelnicko, postala jste cedulku (Steva Buryja, Kusterin Buryja, Jenufa, Laca) 09:01
    Track
    12
    Title
    Act II: Tetko Kostelnicko, postala jste cedulku (Steva Buryja, Kusterin Buryja, Jenufa, Laca)
    Duration
    09:01
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Taylan Reinhard, Iris Vermillion, Gal James, Ales Briscein
    Ensemble
    Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  14. 13 Act II: Ale videl jsem vchazet sohaje (Laca, Kusterin Buryja) 03:20
    Track
    13
    Title
    Act II: Ale videl jsem vchazet sohaje (Laca, Kusterin Buryja)
    Duration
    03:20
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Ales Briscein, Iris Vermillion
    Ensemble
    Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  15. Disc 2
  16. 1 Act II: Co chvila … co chvila … (Kusterin Buryja) 03:57
    Track
    1
    Title
    Act II: Co chvila … co chvila … (Kusterin Buryja)
    Duration
    03:57
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Iris Vermillion
    Ensemble
    Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  17. 2 Act II: Mamicko, mam tezkou hlavu (Jenufa) 09:49
    Track
    2
    Title
    Act II: Mamicko, mam tezkou hlavu (Jenufa)
    Duration
    09:49
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Gal James, Fuyu Iwaki
    Ensemble
    Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  18. 3 Act II: Kde to je? (Jenufa, Kusterin Buryja) 06:12
    Track
    3
    Title
    Act II: Kde to je? (Jenufa, Kusterin Buryja)
    Duration
    06:12
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Gal James, Iris Vermillion
    Ensemble
    Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  19. 4 Act II: Tot' zrovna jde! (Kusterin Buryja, Laca, Jenufa) 06:28
    Track
    4
    Title
    Act II: Tot' zrovna jde! (Kusterin Buryja, Laca, Jenufa)
    Duration
    06:28
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Iris Vermillion, Ales Briscein, Gal James
    Ensemble
    Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  20. 5 Act III: Neni ti teskno, Jenufko? (Schaferin, Jenufa, Laca, Kusterin Buryja) 02:34
    Track
    5
    Title
    Act III: Neni ti teskno, Jenufko? (Schaferin, Jenufa, Laca, Kusterin Buryja)
    Duration
    02:34
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Fran Lubahn, Gal James, Ales Briscein, Iris Vermillion
    Ensemble
    Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  21. 6 Act III: Dej Buh stesti … (Dorfrichter, Schaferin, Laca, Jenufa, Kusterin Buryja, Richterin) 04:35
    Track
    6
    Title
    Act III: Dej Buh stesti … (Dorfrichter, Schaferin, Laca, Jenufa, Kusterin Buryja, Richterin)
    Duration
    04:35
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Konstantin Sfiris, Fran Lubahn, Ales Briscein, Gal James, Stefanie Hierlmeier, Iris Vermillion
    Ensemble
    Chor der Oper Graz, Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  22. 7 Act III: Vidis, Laco, ja to tusila (Jenufa, Laca) 04:02
    Track
    7
    Title
    Act III: Vidis, Laco, ja to tusila (Jenufa, Laca)
    Duration
    04:02
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Gal James, Ales Briscein
    Ensemble
    Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  23. 8 Act III: A hen…uz jsou tu! (Laca, Karolka, Steva Buryja, Jenufa) 02:53
    Track
    8
    Title
    Act III: A hen…uz jsou tu! (Laca, Karolka, Steva Buryja, Jenufa)
    Duration
    02:53
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Ales Briscein, Tatjana Miyus, Taylan Reinhard, Gal James
    Ensemble
    Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  24. 9 Act III: To bylo nakeho (Dorfrichter, Kusterin Buryja, Laca, Richterin, Barena, Jenufa, alte Buryja) 03:31
    Track
    9
    Title
    Act III: To bylo nakeho (Dorfrichter, Kusterin Buryja, Laca, Richterin, Barena, Jenufa, alte Buryja)
    Duration
    03:31
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Konstantin Sfiris, Iris Vermillion, Ales Briscein, Stefanie Hierlmeier, Xiaoyi Xu, Gal James, Dunja Vejzovic
    Ensemble
    Chor der Oper Graz, Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  25. 10 Act III: Chudatko! (Stimme, Kusterin Buryja, Jano, Dorfrichter, Steva, alte Buryja, Karolka, Jenufa, Laca) 03:00
    Track
    10
    Title
    Act III: Chudatko! (Stimme, Kusterin Buryja, Jano, Dorfrichter, Steva, alte Buryja, Karolka, Jenufa, Laca)
    Duration
    03:00
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Hana Batinic, Istvan Szecsi, Iris Vermillion, Nazanin Ezazi, Konstantin Sfiris, Taylan Reinhard, Dunja Vejzovic, Tatjana Miyus, Gal James, Ales Briscein
    Ensemble
    Chor der Oper Graz, Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  26. 11 Act III: Jeste jsem tu ja! (Kusterin Buryja, People, Jenufa, Karolka, Laca, Schaferin) 03:19
    Track
    11
    Title
    Act III: Jeste jsem tu ja! (Kusterin Buryja, People, Jenufa, Karolka, Laca, Schaferin)
    Duration
    03:19
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Iris Vermillion, Gal James, Tatjana Miyus, Ales Briscein, Fran Lubahn
    Ensemble
    Chor der Oper Graz, Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  27. 12 Act III: Vstante, pestounko moja! (Jenufa, Kusterin Buryja, Laca) 03:57
    Track
    12
    Title
    Act III: Vstante, pestounko moja! (Jenufa, Kusterin Buryja, Laca)
    Duration
    03:57
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Gal James, Iris Vermillion, Ales Briscein
    Ensemble
    Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan
  28. 13 Act III: Odesli. Jdi take! (Jenufa, Laca) 04:13
    Track
    13
    Title
    Act III: Odesli. Jdi take! (Jenufa, Laca)
    Duration
    04:13
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Gal James, Ales Briscein
    Ensemble
    Grazer Philharmonische Orchester
    Conductor
    Dirk Kaftan