Search - Jan Dismas Zelenka, Roman Valek, Magdalena Kozena :: Zelenka - Requiem · Miserere / Kozená · Valek

Fantastic Work!!

GeneH | Pennsylvania, USA | 03/31/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is partitioned into two contrasting works, one a Requiem Mass in d and the other the Miserere in C. One of sorrow and remembrance the other of celebration and recognition. Both are excellent examples of the baroque which give definite hints of the classical to come.In true Zelenka fashion both works contain counterpoint, flourishes and a vibrancy which need to be experienced in their own right. This music "lives" and "breathes" in a special sort of way all Zelenka's own.Performed on period instruments, which include baroque woodwinds, organ and lute, and a fine chorus the music is performed with an even tempo but show the power and color for which Zelenka has earned a deserved reputation both in his own time and now.Zelenka's obscurity is only partially his fault and in no way reflects upon the caliber of his works. Two such good examples lie on this CD. You will not regret its purchase."

Excellent music and performance, suspect production

scott | Calgary, Canada | 02/18/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Zelenka is one of my favorite composers, as he is always inventive and original, and a master of counterpoint. The reference to him as the Bohemian Bach is very apt. The two works recorded here are up to his usual level, full of wonderfully tuneful arias and dense choral fugues. The performance is quite good, the instruments and choir sounding focused and alert, with no problems with ensemble or tuning. The soloists are good, but it must be said that the women (Kozena and Hlavenkova especially) are a cut above the men. Where my reservations come is in the production side of this cd.

My copy, and one I sampled in a music store, are marred by a strange background noise throughout the entire recording. I will describe it as an electronic "tinkling" that sounds a bit like the noise one hears when listening to audio clips of poor quality. It is definitely not from the recording sessions, but post production. It does not obscure the music really, but it is very distracting and irritating. Otherwise this could have been a real "top drawer" release. Perhaps not all pressings are similarly affected, but be aware that it is a possibility.

These same works have been recorded by Dombrecht on Pasacaille (he includes a De profundis) that is good too, and may be a safer bet. Although I slightly prefer the Supraphon performance, I would urge you towards the Pasacaille version so you don't imprint on a flawed recording and suffer the torment it has caused me. Such a pity!

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