Janacek, L.: Operatic Orchestral Suites, Vol. 1 - Jenufa / The Excursions of Mr Broucek
8/24/2009, 11 Tracks, 1:10:18
Featuring
Peter Breiner
Vesa-Matti Leppänen
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
Leoš Janáček
Did you know?
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Composer Biography
Leoš Janáček, the composer, was already 50 when his opera Jenůfa premiered in 1904, and was highly regarded in his adopted hometown of Brno as a conductor, critic, teacher, and ethnomusicologist.
Recording & Production
This album features world premiere recordings of Peter Breiner's orchestral suites from Janáček's operas, Jenůfa and The Excursions of Mr Brouček.
Compositional Technique
Janáček's opera Jenůfa features a 'wildly emotional score' that draws on Moravian folk-music and imitates the rhythms of Czech speech.
Critical Reception
Janáček struggled to convince opera houses in Vienna and Prague that his opera Jenůfa was worthy of performance, despite it later becoming a regular repertoire piece.
Historical Context
The opera The Excursions of Mr Brouček, a satirical view of the Czech Everyman, had its premiere in April 1920, a time when the new nation of Czechoslovakia had recently been formed.
Composition History
Janáček's early operas, Šárka and The Beginning of a Romance, faced significant challenges, with Šárka unable to be performed due to libretto rights issues.
Performer Biography
Peter Breiner, the arranger and conductor on this album, is known for his numerous orchestral arrangements, including award-winning Baroque versions of The Beatles, and his arrangements of all national anthems used during the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
