Karel Ančerl: Live Recordings / Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

$112.99
Label
Supraphon
Release Date
February 11, 2022
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      Various
    • ORCHESTRA / ENSEMBLE
      Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
    • PERFORMER
      Karel Ancerl, Josef Suk, Josef Chuchr
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      February 11, 2022
    • UPC
      099925430825
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      SU4308-2
    • LABEL
      Supraphon
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      15
    • GENRE
      Classical
    Works ⌄

    1. No. 1. Vyšehrad (The High Castle)

      Composer: Bedřich Smetana

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    2. No. 2. Vltava (Moldau)

      Composer: Bedřich Smetana

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    3. No. 3. Šárka

      Composer: Bedřich Smetana

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    4. No. 4. Z českých luhů a hájů (From Bohemia's Woods and Fields)

      Composer: Bedřich Smetana

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    5. No. 5. Tábor

      Composer: Bedřich Smetana

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    6. No. 6. Blaník

      Composer: Bedřich Smetana

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    7. Adagio in E Major, K. 261

      Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Josef Suk IV

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    8. I. Allegro aperto

      Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Alexander Plocek

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    9. II. Adagio

      Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Alexander Plocek

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    10. III. Rondeau: Tempo di Menuetto

      Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Alexander Plocek

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    11. I. Allegro

      Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Géza Novák, Karel Patras

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    12. II. Andantino

      Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Géza Novák, Karel Patras

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    13. III. Rondo: Allegro

      Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Géza Novák, Karel Patras

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    14. Scherzo capriccioso, Op. 66, B. 131

      Composer: Antonín Dvořák

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    15. Overture to Collin's Coriolan, Op. 62, "Coriolan Overture"

      Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    16. I. Allegro

      Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Josef Suk IV, Josef Chuchro

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    17. II. Largo

      Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Josef Suk IV, Josef Chuchro

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    18. III. Rondo alla polacca

      Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Josef Suk IV, Josef Chuchro

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    19. I. Adagio molto - Allegro con brio

      Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    20. II. Larghetto

      Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    21. III. Scherzo: Allegro

      Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    22. IV. Allegro molto

      Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    23. I. Allegro vivace e con brio

      Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    24. II. Allegretto scherzando

      Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    25. III. Tempo di menuetto

      Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    26. IV. Allegro vivace

      Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    27. I. Allegro vivace

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    28. II. Andante con moto

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    29. III. Con moto moderato

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    30. IV. Saltarello: Presto

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    31. Don Juan, Op. 20, TrV 156

      Composer: Richard Strauss

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    32. I. Allegro maestoso

      Composer: Antonín Dvořák

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    33. II. Poco adagio

      Composer: Antonín Dvořák

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    34. III. Scherzo: Vivace - Poco meno mosso

      Composer: Antonín Dvořák

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    35. IV. Finale: Allegro

      Composer: Antonín Dvořák

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    36. I. Allegro con brio

      Composer: Antonín Dvořák

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    37. II. Adagio

      Composer: Antonín Dvořák

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    38. III. Allegretto grazioso - Molto vivace

      Composer: Antonín Dvořák

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    39. IV. Allegro ma non troppo

      Composer: Antonín Dvořák

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    40. No. 1. Oblak a mrákota jest vůkol Něho (Clouds and Darkness)

      Composer: Antonín Dvořák

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Ladislav Mráz

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    41. No. 2. Skrýše má a paveza má Ty jsi (Thou art my hiding-place)

      Composer: Antonín Dvořák

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Ladislav Mráz

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    42. No. 3. Slyš, o Bože, slyš modlitbu mou (Give ear to my prayer)

      Composer: Antonín Dvořák

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Ladislav Mráz

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    43. No. 4. Hospodin jest můj pastýř (The Lord is my shepherd)

      Composer: Antonín Dvořák

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Ladislav Mráz

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    44. No. 5. Bože! Bože! Píseň novou (I will sing a new song)

      Composer: Antonín Dvořák

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Ladislav Mráz

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    45. Part I: I. Andante sostenuto - Andante con moto e resoluto - Più pesante e maestoso -

      Composer: Josef Suk II

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    46. Part I: II. Andante -

      Composer: Josef Suk II

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    47. Part I: III. Vivace - Andante sostenuto - Appassionato - Maestoso

      Composer: Josef Suk II

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    48. Part II: IV. Adagio

      Composer: Josef Suk II

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    49. Part II: V. Adagio e maestoso - Allegro appassionato - Adagio e maestoso - Andante maestoso - Adagio e mesto

      Composer: Josef Suk II

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    50. Zrani (Ripening), Op. 34

      Composer: Josef Suk II

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    51. I. Molto sostenuto

      Composer: Josef Bohuslav Foerster

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    52. II. Allegro deciso

      Composer: Josef Bohuslav Foerster

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    53. III. Andante sostenuto

      Composer: Josef Bohuslav Foerster

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    54. IV. Lento lugubre - Allegro moderato

      Composer: Josef Bohuslav Foerster

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    55. Variations on the Theme of Gustav Mahler

      Composer: Jan Klusák

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    56. I. Allegro appassionato

      Composer: Vítězslav Novák

      Ensemble: Czech Chamber Choir, Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    57. II. Bacchanale

      Composer: Vítězslav Novák

      Ensemble: Czech Chamber Choir, Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    58. III. Adagio

      Composer: Vítězslav Novák

      Ensemble: Czech Chamber Choir, Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    59. I. Prolog (Prologue)

      Composer: Vítězslav Novák

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    60. II. Hory (Mountains)

      Composer: Vítězslav Novák

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    61. III. Moře (Sea)

      Composer: Vítězslav Novák

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    62. IV. Les (Forest)

      Composer: Vítězslav Novák

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    63. V. Žena (Woman)

      Composer: Vítězslav Novák

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    64. No. 3. Trepak

      Composer: Modest Mussorgsky

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Ladislav Mráz

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    65. No. 1. Lullaby

      Composer: Modest Mussorgsky

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Ladislav Mráz

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    66. No. 2. Serenade

      Composer: Modest Mussorgsky

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Ladislav Mráz

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    67. No. 4. The Field-Marshal

      Composer: Modest Mussorgsky

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Ladislav Mráz

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    68. No. 1. De l'aube à midi sur la mer

      Composer: Claude Debussy

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    69. No. 2. Jeux de vagues

      Composer: Claude Debussy

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    70. No. 3. Dialogue du vent et de la mer

      Composer: Claude Debussy

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    71. No. 1. Nuages

      Composer: Claude Debussy

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    72. No. 2. Fêtes

      Composer: Claude Debussy

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    73. No. 3. Sirènes

      Composer: Claude Debussy

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    74. No. 1. Asie

      Composer: Maurice Ravel

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Suzanne Danco

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    75. No. 2. La flûte enchantée

      Composer: Maurice Ravel

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Suzanne Danco

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    76. No. 3. L'indifférent

      Composer: Maurice Ravel

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Suzanne Danco

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    77. I. Prélude à la nuit

      Composer: Maurice Ravel

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    78. II. Malagueña

      Composer: Maurice Ravel

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    79. III. Habanera

      Composer: Maurice Ravel

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    80. IV. Feria

      Composer: Maurice Ravel

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    81. Introduction and Allegro, Op. 47

      Composer: Edward Elgar

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    82. Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis

      Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    83. Toccata

      Composer: Walter Piston

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    84. I. L'adoration de Vélès et d'Ala (Invocation to Veles and Ala)

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    85. II. Le dieu ennemi et la danse des esprits noirs (The Evil God and Dance of the Pagan Monster)

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    86. III. La nuit (Night)

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    87. IV. Le départ glorieux de Lolly et Le cortège du Soleil (Lolly's Pursuit of the Evil God and the Sunrise)

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    88. I. Prologue

      Composer: Witold Lutosławski

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    89. II. Metamorphoses

      Composer: Witold Lutosławski

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    90. III. Apogee

      Composer: Witold Lutosławski

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    91. IV. Epilogue

      Composer: Witold Lutosławski

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    92. I. Allgero ma non troppo

      Composer: Bohuslav Martinů

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    93. II. Adagio

      Composer: Bohuslav Martinů

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    94. III. Allegretto

      Composer: Bohuslav Martinů

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    95. I. Moderato

      Composer: Bohuslav Martinů

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    96. II. Scherzo: Allegro - Trio: Poco moderato

      Composer: Bohuslav Martinů

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    97. III. Largo

      Composer: Bohuslav Martinů

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    98. IV. Allegro non troppo

      Composer: Bohuslav Martinů

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    99. I. Allegro

      Composer: Jan Novák

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Jan Novák, Eliška Nováková

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    100. II. Andante

      Composer: Jan Novák

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Jan Novák, Eliška Nováková

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    101. III. Allegro molto

      Composer: Jan Novák

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Jan Novák, Eliška Nováková

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    102. I. Lento - Allegro feroce

      Composer: Iša Krejčí

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    103. II. Scherzo

      Composer: Iša Krejčí

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    104. III. Allegretto moderato

      Composer: Iša Krejčí

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    105. IV. Finale: Allegro vivo

      Composer: Iša Krejčí

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    106. I. Allegro

      Composer: Iša Krejčí

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    107. II. Scherzino: Presto prestissimo

      Composer: Iša Krejčí

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    108. III. Aria: Allegretto moderato

      Composer: Iša Krejčí

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    109. IV. Molto allegro

      Composer: Iša Krejčí

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    110. Fantasia

      Composer: Jaroslav Ježek

      Ensemble: Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Václav Holzknecht

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    111. I. Largo - Allegro - Più mosso - Maestoso (Largo con principo)

      Composer: Igor Stravinsky

      Ensemble: Czech Philharmonic Wind Ensemble, Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Zdeněk Jílek

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    112. II. Largo - Più Mosso - Doppia valore - Tempo primo

      Composer: Igor Stravinsky

      Ensemble: Czech Philharmonic Wind Ensemble, Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Zdeněk Jílek

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    113. III. Allegro - Agitato - Lento - Stringendo

      Composer: Igor Stravinsky

      Ensemble: Czech Philharmonic Wind Ensemble, Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Zdeněk Jílek

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    114. Philharmonisches Konzert

      Composer: Paul Hindemith

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    115. Rhapsody for Orchestra

      Composer: Jiří Pauer

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    116. I. Andante patetico - Allegro

      Composer: Miloslav Kabeláč

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    117. II. Presto

      Composer: Miloslav Kabeláč

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    118. III. Adagio

      Composer: Miloslav Kabeláč

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    119. IV. Andante - Allegro

      Composer: Miloslav Kabeláč

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    120. I. Introduzione: Andante - Allegro vivace

      Composer: Jindřich Feld

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    121. II. Andante non troppo e rubato

      Composer: Jindřich Feld

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    122. III. Allegro scherzando

      Composer: Jindřich Feld

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    123. IV. Allegro con brio

      Composer: Jindřich Feld

      Ensemble: Tschechische Philharmonie

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    124. I. Es ist hohe Zeit

      Composer: Erwin Schulhoff

      Ensemble: Czech Philharmonic Children's Choir, Philharmonischer Chor Prag, Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Helena Tattermuschová, Jarmila Bošinová, Jan Hlavsa, Teodor Srubar

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    125. II. Uns die Erde

      Composer: Erwin Schulhoff

      Ensemble: Czech Philharmonic Children's Choir, Philharmonischer Chor Prag, Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Helena Tattermuschová, Jarmila Bošinová, Jan Hlavsa, Teodor Srubar

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    126. III. Das wollen wir!

      Composer: Erwin Schulhoff

      Ensemble: Czech Philharmonic Children's Choir, Philharmonischer Chor Prag, Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Helena Tattermuschová, Jarmila Bošinová, Jan Hlavsa, Teodor Srubar

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl

    127. IV. Vereinigt euch!

      Composer: Erwin Schulhoff

      Ensemble: Czech Philharmonic Children's Choir, Philharmonischer Chor Prag, Tschechische Philharmonie

      Performer: Helena Tattermuschová, Jarmila Bošinová, Jan Hlavsa, Teodor Srubar

      Conductor: Karel Ančerl


Previously unreleased recordings by one of the great conductors of the 20th century.

Karel Ančerl. One of the most important conductors of post-war Europe. A man who survived the Nazi concentration camps and the avowed anti-Semitism of communist Czechoslovakia. An artist who, through enormous patience and dedication, built the Czech Philharmonic into a world-class orchestra and introduced it successfully at the most important concert halls.

From 2002 to 2008, Supraphon issued the highly acclaimed Ančerl Gold Edition with the bulk of his artistic legacy, containing nearly his complete studio recordings with the Czech Philharmonic on 48 albums. But that was far from everything. Hidden in the archive of Czech Radio, there is a wealth of concert recordings that gives us a more complete picture of this conductor. From that treasury, on 15 albums, Supraphon has selected repertoire of which studio recordings were not made; that repertoire covers a broad range from Mozart to works by Ančerl’s contemporaries.

The recordings include masterpieces by Dvořák (Symphonies Nos. 7 and 8, Biblical Songs) and Suk (Asrael, Ripening), music by composers admired and promoted by Ančerl (Martinu Symphony No. 1 and Kabelác Symphony No. 5), and major works of the worldwide 20th-century repertoire (Debussy, Ravel, Strauss, Prokofiev, etc.). The only exception of a “duplication” of a studio recording is Smetana’s Má vlast. This taping of a Prague Spring Festival concert in May 1968 was one of the last recordings Ančerl made before his definitive departure for Toronto. The concert recordings from the years 1949-1968 document the maturing of this remarkable artist perhaps even more clearly than his studio legacy.

REVIEW:

Performances appearing on CD for the first time include, most notably, Josef Suk’s epic Asrael symphony (1967), a recording that captures the full emotional range of what’s surely the greatest Czech symphony after Dvo∑ák. Most impressive is the impact of Suk’s vivid orchestration, the timpani and bass drum especially, and the way An∂erl charts the work’s dramatic sequence of events, its emotional extremes and tragic demeanor. Never before have I felt the ‘angel of death’ transform into the ‘angel of love’ at the end of the work as it does here. Even the memorable Václav Talich (also on Supraphon) doesn’t quite match up. The mono sound is exceptionally clear but Suk’s The Ripening, another fine performance, is offered in stereo, as is Smetana’s Má vlast (both 1968), where the vengeful third piece, about the fearsome amazon Šárka, is driven to paroxysms of rage.

Perhaps the most absorbing inclusion conceptually is Ervín Schulhoff’s musical setting of portions from the Communist Manifesto. Beyond his miraculous survival of Auschwitz (where his family was murdered), An∂erl joined the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. Schulhoff had sent the only copy of his full score to the Leningrad Conservatory for safe keeping, but it was believed lost during the long siege of the city and the version that An∂erl conducts here (in 1962) is an orchestration by Svatopluk Havelka. Schulhoff had become convinced by the ideas coming out of the Soviet Union after working in Berlin in the 1920s and ’30s and was on the run from the Nazis in the later years of the 1930s, but was captured in 1941 and died in Wülzburg concentration camp in 1942 of tuberculosis. Whatever one’s political leanings (even in view of the subsequent Soviet invasion of An∂erl’s homeland, not to mention Ukraine at the present time), one can understand why he connected so deeply with fascism’s nemesis. The work itself resembles, on the one hand, the politically charged choral pieces of Prokofiev and Shostakovich, while on the other recalls the world of Mahler (try disc 15 track 6 from 7'25", where you can hear clear echoes of Mahler’s Sixth Symphony).

 

This is an extremely important set, very well transferred, superbly annotated (by Petr Kadlec) and sturdily presented. I can’t recommend it more highly than that.

-- Gramophone (Rob Cowan)