Radoslav Kvapil – Alto CD

Czech Piano Music Anthology (Dvořák – Fibich – Janáček – Smetana)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:45:12 +0000

(Dvořák) ‘he plays the set with great understanding … deft and sensitive’ (Fibich): ‘full of strong poetic feeling and beauty of melodic line … played with great sensitivity and subtlety … haunting music, fine pianism” (Penguin Guide) (Janáček): ‘Kvapil responds most vividly to the shorter pieces on this excellent record … interesting, intelligent and well-executed performances’ (Smetana): ‘Smetana’s originality is better revealed in the shorter pieces …. comparisons with Chopin….same ability to take a national dance and turn it into harmonic and rhythmic explorations.’ (most: Gramophone)

Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) (on Composer’s Boesendorfer)
Tema Con Variazione (Op.36) [B.65]
[1] Tema, tempo di minuetto 15.15
(Variations I to VIII)
Poetické Nálady (Poetic Tone Pictures) (Op.85) [ B.161]
[2] No.I Noční cestou (On the Road at Night) 5:31
[3] No.2 žertem (Toying) 4:17
[4] No.3 Na starém hradě (At the Old Castle) 4:06
[5] No.4 Jarní (Spring Song) 3.57
[6] No.5 Selská balada (Peasant’s Ballad) 3:40
[7] No.6 Vzpomínání (Reverie) 4:03
[8] No.7 Furiant 2:53
[9] No.8 Rej skřítků (Goblin’s Dance) 3:12
[10] No.9 Serenáda (Serenade) 4:25
[11] No.10 Bakchanale (Bacchanale) 4:27
[12] No.11 Na táčkách (Tittle-tattle) 4:01
[13] No.12 U mohyly (At a Hero’s Grave) 5:10
[14] No.13 Na svaté hoře (At Svatá Hora) 2:44
Zdeněk Fibich (1850-1900): Piano Music
Nálady, dojmy a upominky (opp. 41,44,47, & 57) (1982-99)
(Moods, Impressions, and Reminiscences)
[1] No.358 Tema con variazione, E minor/major (0p.57) 8:04
[2] No.20 Zárlivosti, g minor (Op.41) 2:11
[3] No. 24 Sny, kdyby se ze žárlivosti zabil, g minor (Op.41) 2:15
[4] No.35 a minor (Op.41) 1:28
[5] No.67 Znaménka na Anežčine krku, C major (Op.41) 1:12
[6] No.127 Jak jsme spolu rozmlouvali, C major (Op.41) 1:42
[7] No.139 Večery na žofine, D flat major (Op.41) 1:14
[8] No.183 Anežčin portret, B flat major (Op.44) 2:53
[9] No.21 Fantasticá soirée, b flat minor (Op.41) 1:27
[10] No.25 Jak udelal Anežce bolest, f minor (Op.41) 2:30
[11] No.19 e minor (Op.41) 2:22
[12] No.103 a minor (op.41) 1:56
[13] No.81 b flat minor (Op.41) 1:26
[14] No.87 B flat major (Op.41) 0:54
[15] No.94 č, A flat major (Op.41) 2:21
[16] No.281 d minor (Op.47) 1:35
[17] No.282 f# minor (Op.47) 1:09
[18] No.355 A major (Op.57) 2:46
[19] No.368 d minor (Op.57) 2:46
Malírské studie (Op.56) (1898-99) (Studies of Paintings)
[20] Lesní samota (Forest Solitude) F major 7:00
[21] Spor masopustu s postem (Quarrel between Shrovetide and Lent), C major 5:12
[22] Rej blažených (Dance of the Blessed Ones), C major 3:35
[23] Jo a Jupiter (Io and Jupiter) , E minor 6:22
[24] Zahradní slavnost (The Garden Party), C major 5:50
Leoš Janáček (1854-1928) Radoslav Kvapil, (Steinway piano)
Po zarostlém chodníčku – I řada (On an Overgrown Path- Book I)
[1] Naše večery (Our Evenings) – moderato 4:14
[2] Lístek odvanutý (A Leaf Blown by the Wind) – andante 3:36
[3] Pojdte s náme (Come with Us) – andante – 1:20
[4] Frýdecká panna Maria (The Virgin of Fyrdek) – grave- 3:57
[5] štebetlay jak laštovičky (They chatted like Little Swallows) con moto- 2:09
[6] Nelze domluvit (Words fail me !) – andante- 2:26
[7] Dobrou noc! (Good Night !) –andante- 3:29
[8] Tak neskonale úzko (Unutterable Anguish) –andante 3:22
[9] V pláči (In Tears) – larghetto 3:05
[10] Sýček neodletel ! (The Little Owl still calls) –andante 4:11
Po zarostlém chodníčku – II řada (On an Overgrown Path, Book II)
[11] Andante 2:57
[12] Allegretto 4:01
[13] Piu mosso 2:44
[14] Vivo 2:43
[15] Allegro-adagio 5:50

I:x:1905 (Piano Sonata)

[16] Předtucha (Con moto) 6:10
[17] Smrt (Adagio) 6:29

V mlhách (In the Mists)

[18] Andante 3:35
[19] Molto adagio 4:32
[20] Andantino 3:40
[21] Presto 4:10
Smetana: Dances and Dreams for Piano
(From) Tři salonni polky (Three Salon Polkas) (Op.7) (1854)*
[1] Polka in F# major – vivo 4:30
[2] Polka in E major – allegretto ma non troppo 1:49
(From) Tři poetickě polky (Three Poetic Polkas) (Op.8) (1854)*
[3] Polka in Ab major – allegro 2:27
Sny (Dreams) (1875)*
[4] Zaniklé šteští (Bygone Happiness) – vivo – quasi andante – più vivo 4:20
[5] Útecha (Consolation) – moderato – moderato assai – lento –
poco meno allegro 4:45
[6] V Čechhách – vsenický příbeh (In Bohemia – Country Tale)
moderato e rubato – più allegro – più vivo 5:09
[7] V salone (In the Salon) – allegro comodo 3:51
[8] Před hradem (Before the Castle) – moderato ma energico 5:00
[9] Slavnost českých venkovanů (Festival of Bohemian Country Folk)
molto vivace – vivo ed energico – più lento – Tempo I – presto 4:47

české tance (Czech Dances) II (1879)

[10] Furiant 5:47
[11] Slepička (Little hen) 3:17
[12] Oves (Oats) 5:09
[13] Medvěd (The Bear) 3:25
[14] Cibulička (Little Onion) 4:53
[15] Dupák (Stomp Dance) 3:51
[16] Hulán (The Lancer) 4:55
[17] Obkročák (Stepping Round) 3:21
[18] Sousedská (Neighbour’s Dance ) 4:38
[19] Skočná (Hopping Dance) 3:38

Zdeněk Fibich: Piano Music (Moods, Impressions, Reminiscences; Studies of Paintings)

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

“these vignettes (“Moods” etc, selection) are touching … and spring from a love affair … most are full of strong poetic feeling and beauty of melodic line … ‘An erotic diary for piano’ (Gerald Abraham)… played with great sensitivity and subtlety … haunting music, fine pianism” (Penguin Guide)

Malírské studie (Op.56) – Studies of Paintings
[20] Lesní samota (Forest Solitude) F major 7:00
[21] Spor masopustu s postem (Quarrel between
Shrovetide and Lent), C major 5:12
[22] Rej blažených (Dance of the Blessed Ones), C major 3:35
[23] Jo a Jupiter (Io and Jupiter) , E minor 6:22
[24] Zahradní slavnost (The Garden Party), C major 5:50

Dvořák Theme & Variations; Poetic Tone Poems

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:40:20 +0000

“Kvapil plays with great understanding. He cherishes these curious, reflective tonal sideslips, but also charges vigorously into the more energetic variations. His ability to characterize swiftly and surely is very necessary, as it is in a different manner in the Poetic Tone Pictures…he is deft and sensitive with them, and the recording is no less sensitive to the varying textural demands of such pieces” (c) Gramophone

Tema Con Variazione (Op.36) [B.65]

[1] Tema, tempo di minuetto 15.15
(Variations I to VIII)

Poetické Nálady (Poetic Tone Pictures) (Op.85) [ B.161]

[2] No.I Noční cestou (On the Road at Night) 5:31
[3] No.2 žertem (Toying) 4:17
[4] No.3 Na starém hradě (At the Old Castle) 4:06
[5] No.4 Jarní (Spring Song) 3.57
[6] No.5 Selská balada (Peasant’s Ballad) 3:40
[7] No.6 Vzpomínání (Reverie) 4:03
[8] No.7 Furiant 2:53
[9] No.8 Rej skřítků (Goblin’s Dance) 3:12
[10] No.9 Serenáda (Serenade) 4:25
[11] No.10 Bakchanale (Bacchanale) 4:27
[12] No.11 Na táčkách (Tittle-tattle) 4:01
[13] No.12 U mohyly (At a Hero’s Grave) 5:10
[14] No.13 Na svaté hoře (At Svatá Hora) 2:44

Smetana: Polkas, MacBeth & The Witches, Bagatelles & Impromptus

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:38:50 +0000

“Kvapil is entirely inside this repertoire…..a highly sensitive exponent” (Penguin Guide) “They (Dances) should be better known, and domestic pianists would find a good many of them well within finger-reach; anyone can take pleasure in Kvapil’s expert, sensitive performances, which touch delicately on the emotions lying beneath the music’s surface….allusive pieces which bear the same relationship as Chopin’s Mazurkas do to their parent dance…. The second set ….form an attractive and well-contrasted group. The earlier Bagatelles and Impromptus of 1844 are much simpler, and have a direct lyricism that was coloured by his love for his future wife Katerina” (Gramophone)

1 Macbeth a čarodějnice (Macbeth and the Witches) (Op. post. 1858-59) 10:56
(from) Tří salonni polky (Three Salon Polkas) (Op.7 1854)
2 Polka in F minor 4:45
(from) Tří poetické polky (Three Poetic Polkas) (Op.8 1854)
3 Polka in Eb major 2:31
4 Polka in G minor 4:12

Vzpominka na Čechy ve formě polek (Memories of Bohemia in Polka Form)
(Op.12 1859-60)

5 Polka in A minor 3:36
6 Polka in E minor 6:38

Vzpominka na Čechy ve formě polek (Memories of Bohemia in Polka Form)
(Op.133 1859-60)

7 Polka in E minor 2:46
8 Polka in Eb minor 5:53

České tance (Czech Dances) 1 (1877)

9 Polka in F sharp minor 3:22
10 Polka in A minor 2:55 12. Polka in B flat 3:49
11 . Polka in F 3:36

Bagately a Impromptus (Bagatelles and Impromptus) (1844)

13 Nevinnost (Innocence) 2:51
14 Skličenost (Depression) 1:28
15 Idyla (Idyll) 1:12
16 Touha (Longing) 1:56
17 Radost (Joy) 0:44
18 Pohádka (Fairytale) 3:10
19 Láska (Love) 2:58
20 Nesvár (Discord) 1:41

Dvořák Played on Dvořák’s own Bösendorfer (II)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:38:50 +0000

“the same preoccupation with authenticity persuaded Kvapil to record on the Bösendorfer…the outspoken freshness of the sweet timbres of the instrument testify to the precise sound the composer had available to compose with.(La Montagne, Paris)

“Kvapil has an exemplary approach to Dvořák: his imagination always alert, his gestures always spontaneous, he thus establishes a benchmark with this new collection, finding as before the most eloquent phrases, the most sparkling (oh the liveliness of the Valse op.54/8 !), and the most expressive that he can…..Squaring the circle is here resolved by a perfect stylist who has the emotional language for this music. The interpretations demonstrate similar qualities, whilst nourishing a sustained interest in the piano output of Dvořák (Repertoire magazine, Paris)

Valses op. 54

[1] Moderato 3:41
[2] Allegro con fuoco 3:23
[3] Poco allegro 3:11
[4] Allegro vivace 2:35
[5] Allegro 3:08
[6] Allegro 4:23
[7] Allegro 2:44
[8] Allegro vivace 2:51

Eclogues B 103

[9] Allegro non tanto 3:06
[10] Quasi Allegretto 5:19
[11] Moderato 3:13
[12] Allegretto 4:58

Pièces pour piano op. 52

[13] Impromptu 3:36
[14] Intermezzo 3:20
[15] Gigue 2:21
[16] Eglogue 4:56

Mazurkas op. 56

[17] Allegro non tanto 3:34
[18] Vivo e risoluto 2:47
[19] Allegro 2:25
[20] Lento, ma non troppo 4:12
[21] Allegro non troppo 4:08
[22] Allegro 3:40

Czech Piano Anthology II

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:38:50 +0000

Catalogue No: ALC 6002

(Dvořák): ‘Kvapil plays with great understanding ..deft and sensitive’ (Fibich): ‘An erotic diary for piano (Abraham)…played with great sensitivity and subtlety … haunting music, fine pianism’ (Penguin Guide) (Martinů) ‘there is scarcely a piece here without charm. Kvapil does not play them as a mere bag of sweets…..whenever Martinů gestures ..Kvapil knows exactly what the reference is and where it would lead eventually… Illuminating as well as entertaining’ (Smetana): anyone can take pleasure in Kvapil’s expert, sensitive performances, which touch delicately on the emotions beneath the surface’ (Voříšek): Kvapil’s enthusiastic performances stress the classical background …. much to enjoy’. (all except Fibich (c) Gramophone)

(Dvořák:Dvorak x 2/ Fibich / MartinůMartinu / Smetana / VoříšekVorisek)
Dvořák: (2 cds played on Dvorak’s Bösendorfer): Humoresques;
American Suite; Dumka & Furiant; Silhouettes; Valses;
Eclogues; Pieces op.52; Mazurkas; Fibich: Moods,
Impressions & Reminiscences; Studies of Paintings;
Martinů: Les Marionettes; 3 Czech Dances; Borová Dances;
Esquisses; Les Ritournelles; Fenetre sur le Jardin; Smetana:
MacBeth & The Witches; Salon Polka; Poetic Polka;
Memories of Bohemia I & II; Czech Dances I; Bagatelles
& Impromptus; Voříšek: Impromptus, Piano Sonata; Fantasie

Janáček Piano Music – On an Overgrown Path / In the Mists / Piano Sonata

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:38:28 +0000

Janáček Piano Music
On an Overgrown Path / In the Mists / Piano Sonata

Leoš Janáček
Radoslav Kvapil

Catalogue Number: ALC 1127
Number of Discs: 1
Date/Runtime: DDD, 1994, 79:33

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“He characterizes the changing moods of the Overgrown Path suite with a sure touch, but keeps them in a proper contrast….. he makes them relate to one another within a general mood. That is one, generally, of griefs remembered…. one along which this most self-honest of composers had trodden… So Kvapil lends a wistfulness even to the livelier pieces, (“They chattered like little swallows”), but also makes the anguished No. 8, …calm rather than frenzied in its pain. A similar understanding of contrast distinguishes the four beautiful pieces of In the mists, which are marked by a dignified sadness that Kvapil understands well….. these are interesting, intelligent and well-executed performances. (c) GramophoneRadoslav Kvapil

Po zarostlém chodníčku – I řada (On an Overgrown Path- Book I)

[1] Naše večery (Our Evenings) – moderato 4:14
[2] Lístek odvanutý (A Leaf Blown by the Wind) – andante 3:36
[3] Pojdte s náme (Come with Us) – andante – 1:20
[4] Frýdecká panna Maria (The Virgin of Fyrdek) – grave- 3:57
[5] štebetlay jak laštovičky (They chatted like Little Swallows) con moto- 2:09
[6] Nelze domluvit (Words fail me !) – andante- 2:26
[7] Dobrou noc! (Good Night !) –andante- 3:29
[8] Tak neskonale úzko (Unutterable Anguish) –andante 3:22
[9] V pláči (In Tears) – larghetto 3:05
[10] Sýček neodletel ! (The Little Owl still calls) –andante 4:11

Po zarostlém chodníčku – II řada (On an Overgrown Path, Book II)

[11] Andante 2:57
[12] Allegretto 4:01
[13] Piu mosso 2:44
[14] Vivo 2:43
[15] Allegro-adagio 5:50

I:x:1905 (Piano Sonata)

[16] Předtucha (Con moto) 6:10
[17] Smrt (Adagio) 6:29

V mlhách (In the Mists)

[18] Andante 3:35
[19] Molto adagio 4:32
[20] Andantino 3:40
[21] Presto 4:10

Smetana: Dances and Dreams for Piano

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:37:19 +0000

Radoslav Kvapil plays piano works by Smetana as part of his survey of essential Czech piano music

Hailed as the father of Czech music, Bedrich Smetana is most famously known for his operatic and orchestral works. Radoslav Kvapil delivers a sensitive and powerful performance of these remarkable piano pieces that will delight both new-comers and those already knowledgeable of Smetana’s oeuvre.

Bedrich Smetana

Tri salonni polky (Three salon polkas)

I. Polka in F# – vivo 4:30
II. Polka in E – allegretto ma non troppo 1:49
Tri poeticke polky (Three Poetic Polkas) – Polka in Ab – allegro 2:27

Sny (Dreams)

II. Ãštecha (Consolation) â€“ moderato – moderato assai – lento – poco meno allegro 4:45
III. V CechhÃ¡ch â€“ vsenickÃ½ prÃbeh (In Bohemia â€“ Country Tale) moderato e rubato – piÃ¹ allegro – piÃ¹ vivo 5:08
IV. V salone (In the Salon) â€“ allegro comodo 3:51
V. Pred hradem (Before the Castle) â€“ moderato ma energico 5:00
VI. Slavnost ceskÃ½ch venkovanu (Festival of Bohemian Country Folk) molto vivace – vivo ed energico – piÃ¹ lento – Tempo I – presto 4:47

Ceske tance (Czech Dances) II

I. Furiant 5:47
II. Slepicka (Little hen) 3:17
III. Oves (Oats) 5:08
IV. Medved (The Bear) 3:25
V. Cibulicka (Little Onion) 4:53
VI. DupÃ¡k (Stomp Dance) 3:51
VII. HulÃ¡n (The Lancer) 4:55
VII. ObkrocÃ¡k (Stepping Round) 3:21
IX. SousedskÃ¡ (Neighbour’s Dance ) 4:38
X. SkocnÃ¡ (Hopping Dance) 3:38

Vitezlav Novak: Piano Music

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:36:58 +0000

“This is a rare bird indeed – a very recent recording from that grandee of Czech music: Radoslav Kvapil. May there be many more for his powers have not waned. … Miraculously sure-footed and full of insight. Kvapil is a virtuoso of dexterity, mood and narrative.”
— Rob Barnett, Musicweb International

Never before available – this new recording by acclaimed virtuoso pianist Radoslav Kvapil, the luminary of Czech piano music, brings together a selection of solo piano works by twentieth century Czech composer Vitezlav Novak.

Vitezslav Novak

Sonata Eroica, Op. 24

I. Allegro patetico 13:31
2. Andante mesto – Allegro energico 12:33

Songs of Winter Nights, Op. 30

I. Pisen mesicnÃ noci (Song of a moonlit night) – Andante amoroso 4:12
II. Pisen bourlive noci (Song of a stormy night) – Allegro tempestuoso 2:33
III. Pisen vÃ¡nocni noci (Song of Christmas night) – Andante misterioso 6:00
IV. Pisen noci karnevalove (Song of a carnival night) – Allegro burlesco 4:35

Slovak Suite, Op. 32

I. V kostele – Andante 5:26
II. Mezi detmi – Vivace, giocoso 4:19

III. ZamilovanÃ – Andante con moto 4:39
IV. U muziky – Allegro strepitoso 4:33
V. V noci – Andante con tenerezza 7:38
Valachian Dances, Op. 34 – No. 2: DymÃ¡k (Con fuoco) 6:14
Radoslav Kvapil, piano

Dvořák Piano Works Played on Dvořák’s Own Bösendorfer Piano

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:36:12 +0000

A unique opprtunity to hear the original piano music of composer Antonín Dvořák played on his own carefully restored and maintained 1879 Bösendorfer piano by Radoslav Kvapil, recognized as one of the world’s finest exponents of Czech piano music.

[1-8] Humoresques, Op.101 (24:51)
[9-13] American Suite, Op.98 (17:50)
[14-15] Dumka and Furiant, Op.12 (8:16)
[16-27] Silhouettes, Op.8 (20:56)

Total playing time — 71:53
Recorded in the Hluboŝ Castle, Czech Republic, October 1988.
Producer: Zdenĕk Zahradník
© 2004 AMAT
Mastered for Alto by Paul Arden-Taylor.