Search - Janacek, Jilek, Neumann :: Amarus

Beautifully idiomatic performance

12/24/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I loved this recording. The Czech Philharmonic responds wonderfully to Neumann and to Jilek and the broadcoast recordings have survived the transfer to CD surprisingly well. Amarus is rarely recorded and this is a valuable addition to the repertoire. The singing is all first rate and the piece makes its impression clearly and simply. Though not a major work, Amarus is a yet another powerful statement of Janacek's passionate and skillful use of voice and orchestra. The sound of the Czech Philharmonic strings, brass, and woodwinds is warm and expressive. The only reservations I have would be the inevitable vagaries of live broadcast recordings. I much prefer an occasional overblown note or out of tune violin note to some of the sterile studio recordings which populate the market. Vaclav Neumann is an underrated conductor. He draws warm, flowing interpretations from his musicans and they seem to play with real love of the music. Jilek is also effective in his rendition of the suite from "House of the Dead." American record collectors who are not familiar with the Czech Philharmonic should investigate this recording."