Charles Mackerras has shown himself one of the finest Jan�cek conductors. His readings convey a sense of burning belief in and love of Jan�cek's music; they are well prepared; yet it is as if the strangeness and beauty of the music were being revealed for the first time. The engineers have excelled themselves, matching this bold approach with an equally bold recording... In the four Preludes the performances are excellently dramatic, and most moving. (Gramophone)