Search - Leos Janacek :: Janácek: String Quartets

A musical genius in top form!

Hiram Gomez Pardo | Valencia, Venezuela | 12/20/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Needless to say the fame of Leos Janacek has never been at the same level of his musical genius. Nay, most of people know about him, basically due his symphonic works Taras Bulba and Sinfonietta.



1924 was the year in which his first string quartet was composed, inspired by Tolstoi's Kreutzer Sonata. Underpinned by a densely chromatic lyricism, speech inflexions and a profound love for Moldavia, this work still is worthy to amaze us, due the haunting reiterations and the egregious orchestral construction.



The last years of this outstanding composer found him composing with works related with the death. His Glagolitic mass (1927) and his posthumous Op. From the house of dead (1928) give us an idea of his mood, blended with his volcanic passion about Kamila who was younger than him for just 38 years. His second quartet (1928)can not better described but as a homage to the youth, the main source of life and joy.



At the moment to think about the names of great composers in this genre, the name of Leos Janacek must be reminded and regarded at a high level.



The performance of this ensemble is simply outstanding.

"