The Russian connection
Donald Macleod explores Janáček's affectionate relationship with his daughter Olga and the musical fruits of a shared love of Russian, including Taras Bulba and Pohádka.
Donald Macleod explores Janáček’s affectionate relationship with his daughter Olga and the musical fruits of a shared love of Russian, including Taras Bulba and Pohádka.
One of the most original voices of the twentieth century, Leoš Janáček was a composer, musical theorist, folklorist and teacher. Born in 1854 in the Moravian village of Hukvaldy, which was then part of the Austrian Empire, in his youth German was the language of government, education and social influence. Having returned from studies in Germany, Janáček made detailed studies of native folk song and spent years annotating the natural rhythms of the Czech language. He was to write all his works for stage in his native language. The range of his professional activities gave him a range of outlets to voice what quickly became a life-long commitment to Czech culture.
Janáček was a contradictory man, who spent much of his life feeling at odds with his circumstances. Through five of his closest relationships, Donald Macleod builds a picture of how his inner tensions found expression in his music. The longest and most fractured of his associations was with his German-speaking wife Zdenka. After a shaky start, he grew very close to his daughter Olga, with whom he shared his love of Russian literature. His friendship with the literary collaborator Max Brod proved to be the turning point in his quest for professional standing, while his muse Kamila Stösslova became the joy and agony of his later, creatively enriched years. As a young man Janáček turned to Antonín Dvořák. They shared an interest in folk music, and the older composer proved to be a loyal friend and mentor.
A temporary separation from his wife meant it wasn't until Olga was a toddler that Janáček first got to know his daughter. From that point on they became very close, with Olga taking an active interest in her father's music.
Nejistota JW V/2
Tomas Kral, baritone
Martina Janková, soprano
Ivo Kahánek, piano
Hukvaldy Songs
Czech Philharmonic Choir of Brno
Petr Fiala, conductor
Taras Bulba
The Prophecy and Death of Taras Bulba
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Rafael Kubelik, conductor
Pohádka
Steven Isserlis, cello
Olli Mustonen, piano
Jenůfa – excerpt from Act 1
Petr Dvorský, tenor, Števa
Elisabeth Söderström, soprano, Jenůfa
Eva Randová, mezzo-soprano, Kostelnička
Wieslav Ochmann, baritone, Laca
Chorus of Vienna State Opera
Vienna Philharmonic
Charles Mackerras, conductor
Last on
Music Played
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Leos Janáček
Nejistota (Uncertainty)
Performer: Ivo Kahánek. Singer: Tomáš Král. Singer: Martina Janková.- Supraphon SU41832.
- Supraphon SU41832.
- 30.
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Leos Janáček
Hukvaldy Songs
Performer: Czech Philharmonic Choir of Brno. Conductor: Petr Fiala.- Warner Classics 2564619512.
- Warner Classics 2564619512.
- 4.
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Leos Janáček
Taras Bulba (3rd movement)
Performer: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Rafael Kubelík.- DG 429 1822.
- DG 429 1822.
- 11.
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Leos Janáček
Pohádka (Fairy Tale) for cello and piano
Performer: Steven Isserlis. Performer: Olli Mustonen.- RCA : 09026-68437-2.
- RCA.
- 1.
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Leos Janáček
Jenůfa: Act I (excerpt)
Singer: Petr Dvorský. Singer: Petr Dvorský. Singer: Elisabeth Söderström. Singer: Elisabeth Söderström. Singer: Elisabeth Söderström. Singer: Eva Randová. Singer: Eva Randová. Singer: Eva Randová. Singer: Wiesław Ochman. Singer: Wiesław Ochman. Singer: Wiesław Ochman. Singer: Wiesław Ochman. Singer: Wiesław Ochman. Orchestra: Wiener Philharmoniker. Orchestra: Wiener Philharmoniker. Orchestra: Wiener Philharmoniker. Orchestra: Wiener Philharmoniker. Orchestra: Wiener Philharmoniker. Choir: Vienna State Opera Choir. Choir: Vienna State Opera Choir. Choir: Vienna State Opera Choir. Choir: Vienna State Opera Choir. Choir: Vienna State Opera Choir. Conductor: Charles Mackerras. Conductor: Charles Mackerras. Conductor: Charles Mackerras. Conductor: Charles Mackerras. Conductor: Charles Mackerras.- Decca 414 48-3 2.
- Decca 414 48-3 2.
- 6.
Broadcast
- Wed 4 Dec 2019 12:00BBC Radio 3
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