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Janacek: Orchestral Works Vol 1 / Bavouzet, Gardner, Bergen Philharmonic
Chandos

Janacek: Orchestral Works Vol 1 / Bavouzet, Gardner, Bergen Philharmonic

$21.99

Details

Composer
JANACEK, LEOS
Artist
Bavouzet, Gardner
Format
SACD
Label
Chandos
Released
Oct 28, 2014
Catalog #
CHSA 5142
UPC
095115514221

About

First some housekeeping. This version of the suite from The Cunning LIttle Vixen is allegedly the “final” edition prepared by Charles Mackerras, consisting largely of the Talich score (that is, most of Act 1) but with Janácek’s original orchestration restored. According to Janácek scholar John Tyrrell, who wrote the otherwise comprehensive notes, Mackerras planned to conduct the “final” version of his edition, but his death intervened and it was only premiered at his memorial concert in 2010. What Tyrrell does not make clear is that Mackerras played and recorded his “almost final” version of the suite with the Czech Philharmonic for Supraphon. It differs in no major way from that offered here. So if you think that this recording features something new, it doesn’t, for the most part.

That said, this release represents an auspicious beginning to a new series of Janácek orchestral works. Gardner really is a good conductor. He plays the Sinfonietta swiftly and, happily, without an inappropriate effort to polish the music’s rough edges. There are a couple of quirky touches. The second movement starts quickly and then settles down to a marginally slower tempo for the rest. The fourth movement, too, after those two sudden eruptions towards the end, is taken very slowly for the last appearances of the main theme. I’m not sure that I like it because it sits oddly with the overall spunky tenor of the performance, but it’s not wrong, and it may improve on repetition.

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet plays a mean Capriccio, another swift performance, especially in the third movement, which the brass handle with aplomb. This is such a weird piece that you can do almost anything with it (or to it) and have it come out successfully, but Bavouzet’s fluidity in the spiky solo part, and the excellence of the ensemble generally, disarm criticism. Finally, Mackerras’ version of the Vixen suite is surely the way to play it, and Gardner doesn’t put a foot wrong. The SACD sonics are quite good–occasionally a touch low level, perhaps, but that’s easily remedied.

-- David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com

Tracklist 11 tracks

  1. 1 I. Allegretto 02:07
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Allegretto
    Duration
    02:07
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  2. 2 II. Andante 06:10
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Andante
    Duration
    06:10
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  3. 3 III. Moderato 05:16
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Moderato
    Duration
    05:16
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  4. 4 IV. Allegretto 03:00
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Allegretto
    Duration
    03:00
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  5. 5 V. Andante con moto 06:35
    Track
    5
    Title
    V. Andante con moto
    Duration
    06:35
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  6. 6 I. Allegro 05:19
    Track
    6
    Title
    I. Allegro
    Duration
    05:19
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Ingela Oien, Gary Peterson, Jon Behncke, Christopher Dudley, Oyvind Hage, Kjell Erik Husom, Hans Andreas Kjolberg
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  7. 7 II. Adagio 05:11
    Track
    7
    Title
    II. Adagio
    Duration
    05:11
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Ingela Oien, Gary Peterson, Jon Behncke, Christopher Dudley, Oyvind Hage, Kjell Erik Husom, Hans Andreas Kjolberg
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  8. 8 III. Allegretto 03:34
    Track
    8
    Title
    III. Allegretto
    Duration
    03:34
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Ingela Oien, Gary Peterson, Jon Behncke, Christopher Dudley, Oyvind Hage, Kjell Erik Husom, Hans Andreas Kjolberg
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  9. 9 IV. Andante 06:10
    Track
    9
    Title
    IV. Andante
    Duration
    06:10
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Performer
    Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Ingela Oien, Gary Peterson, Jon Behncke, Christopher Dudley, Oyvind Hage, Kjell Erik Husom, Hans Andreas Kjolberg
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  10. 10 I. The forest: Andante - Tempo I - Allegro - Tempo di Walzer - 09:50
    Track
    10
    Title
    I. The forest: Andante - Tempo I - Allegro - Tempo di Walzer -
    Duration
    09:50
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  11. 11 II. The Vixen at the Gamekeeper's farmyard - The Vixen dreams - The Vixen escapes 10:23
    Track
    11
    Title
    II. The Vixen at the Gamekeeper's farmyard - The Vixen dreams - The Vixen escapes
    Duration
    10:23
    Composer
    Leoš Janáček
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner