Janáček Sinfonietta * 4 Opera Preludes * Taras Bulba

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:31 +0000

“Charles Mackerras has shown himself one of the finest Janáček conductors. His readings convey a sense of burning belief in and love of Janáček’s music; they are well prepared; yet it is as if the strangeness and beauty of the music were being revealed for the first time. The engineers have excelled themselves, matching this bold approach with an equally bold recording … In the four Preludes the performances are excellently dramatic, and most moving.” (Gramophone)

Sinfonietta, 4 Opera Preludes:
Sinfonietta (1926) [24:41]

1. Allegretto – Allegro – Maestoso 2:20
2. Andante – Alegretto – Maestoso 6:12
3. Moderato – Con Moto – Tempo Primo – Prestissimo – Moderato 5:47
4. Allegretto 3:01
5. Andante con moto – Maestoso – Allegretto – Allegro – Maestoso – Adagio 7:18

Operatic Preludes [21:12]

6. The Makropulos Affair 5:10
7. Katya Kabanova 4:44
8. The House of the Dead 5:34
9. Jenufa (prelude: ‘Jealousy’) 5:42

Taras Bulba: Czech Philharmonic Orchestra / Karel Ančerl
Taras Bulba (1915-8) ‘Rhapsody for Orchestra’ [21:49]

10. Andrei’s Death 8:30
11. Ostap’s Death 4:59
12. Prophecy and Death of Taras Bulba 8:19

Pineapple Poll (Ballet) & Favourite Sullivan Overtures

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:43:19 +0000

(Poll): “This ebullient dish-up of Sullivan is played here with tremendous élan in the merry bits and delightful expressiveness in the sentimental ones. In fact this version is much better played and recorded than either of its rivals, and if one were to be solemn one might describe it as the definitive recording in stereo. Unreservedly recommended.” (Gramophone) (Overtures): “recording is first class, bright and clean with keen strings and a good firm bass, …and the performance under Sir Malcolm Sargent is so affectionately shaped” (Gramophone)

Pineapple Poll [44:30]

Opening Dance 3:32
Poll’s Solo & Pas de Deux 3:32
Belaye’s Solo 3:16
Pas de Trois 2:58
Finale 3:50
Poll’s Solo 3:53
Jasper’s Solo 3:44
Belaye’s Solo & Sailors’ Drill 3:21
Poll’s Solo 4:30
Entry of Belaye with Blanche as Bride 3:26
Reconciliation 2:58
Grand Finale 5:24

Sullivan Overtures

The Mikado 8:17
The Yeomen of the Guard 5:20
The Pirates of Penzance 7:29
HMS Pinafore 4:20
Iolanthe 7:10

Pro Arte Orchestra – Alto CD

Janáček Sinfonietta * 4 Opera Preludes * Taras Bulba

Pineapple Poll (Ballet) & Favourite Sullivan Overtures