Search - Leos Janacek, Rafael Kubelik, Members of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra :: Leos Janácek: Piano Works; Solo Piano; Concertino and Capriccio

Firkusny redraws a misguided portrait.

01/15/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These are the first Janacek CDs I have purchased. Previously I heard some of the operas and had been only mildly interested in the great Czech. From those earlier experiences I had drawn a certain image of Janacek that these CDs have forced me to reimagine. "On The Overgrown Path" is performed with such simple warmth that it is overwhelming. "Reminiscence", according to the CD jacket, was Janacek's final work. It is an historic half a minute. The two movement sonata - the last movement to which Janacek apparently tore to pieces and hurled into a river - is a wonderful blend of Czech morbidity and intermittent promise. This is an awesome release that any pianophile absolutely must own. I would have given it ten stars if I could."

Very good reading, but not the best, of really lovely music

M. Fulton | Bemidji, Minnesota United States | 02/15/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As a long-time fan of Janacek, I know this recording from LP. It is quite well played, and is one of the only recordings out there of Janacek's wonderful and generally neglected piano works. My only problem with it is that I also have a recording of some of this music (also on LP, and not available on CD, alas) by Ivan Moravec. Like many of Moravec's recordings, that one ruined anyone else's interpretation for me - it is delicate, nuanced and in places capable of moving one to tears. Firkusny's playing is more straightforward, maybe a trifle colder, but the quality of the music still comes across."