大象传媒

In final part of his survey Donald Macleod explores the methods Max Brod used to make Jan谩膷ek into a household name, with music from On the Overgrown Path, The Excursions of Mr Brou膷ek and The Fiddler's Child.

One of the most original voices of the twentieth century, Leo拧 Jan谩膷ek 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, Jan谩膷ek 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.

Jan谩膷ek 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 St枚sslova became the joy and agony of his later, creatively enriched years. As a young man Jan谩膷ek turned to Anton铆n Dvo艡谩k. They shared an interest in folk music, and the older composer proved to be a loyal friend and mentor.

According to one of Jan谩膷ek鈥檚 great champions, the pianist Rudolf Firku拧n媒, without Max Brod, Leo拧 Jan谩膷ek鈥檚 world reputation would not have arrived for many more years.鈥� To which Sir Charles Mackerras, who made Jan谩膷ek鈥檚 music known and loved in this country, added: 鈥淧erhaps never!鈥�

沤谩谤濒颈惫辞蝉迟
Vienna Philharmonic
Charles Mackerras, conductor

On the overgrown path (excerpts)
Rudolf Firku拧n媒, piano

The Excursions of Mr Brou膷ek
The Excursion of Mr Brou膷ek to the Moon (Part 1 excerpt)
Jan Vac铆k, tenor, Mat臅j Brou膷ek
Peter Straka, tenor, Azurean
Roman Jan谩l, baritone, Lunigrove
Maria Haan, soprano, Etherea
大象传媒 Singers
大象传媒 Symphony Orchestra
Ji艡铆 B臅lohl谩vek, conductor

The Fiddler鈥檚 Child
Melina Mandozzi, violin
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
Edward Gardner

Potuln媒 拧铆lenec
Netherlands Chamber Choir
Reinbert de Leeuw, conductor