Surprised there isn't a serious thread on this fellow yet. I wanted to ask a question, but it wouldn't be a good way to start a thread without some kind of look at the music I do know:
His large symphonic poem cycle Má Vlast is as superb as its popularity implies, although like a few others, I find the two later-added pieces to be less inspired than the radiant first four. There are mercifully many great recordings of this work, so you could scarcely go wrong in buying one, but some of the most popular are Kubelik's last live recording on Supraphon, Wit's expansive take on Naxos, and Macal/Milwaukee SO(!) on Telarc.
His chamber works are sparse and gem-like in their quality. The two string quartets and the piano trio are essential works in their respective genres. The operas, much like Dvořák's, are quite neglected. I find myself preferring Smetana's to Dvořák due to a less routine method of composition which I have yet to fully understand. There is a great sweep to the music, sometimes in an almost oratoriac* manner, but also infused with dances and a lot of carefree moods. It is perhaps a little unfair that the only of his operas to have recieved any attention, The Bartered Bride, is the second of eight - and he shows no sign of having declined in compositional power towards the end of his life. The opposite is attested to in his chamber music.
*Made up words can be so useful!
Anyway, my question: what are your opinions on the various multiple-disc cycles of his orchestral works? The choices seem to be between Noseda/BBC Phil/Chandos (2 volumes, in progress), Válek/Prague RSO/Supraphon (3 discs), Kuchar/Janáček PO/Brilliant (3 discs). Did I miss any?
Quote from: Lethe on July 20, 2009, 07:20:06 AM
Anyway, my question: what are your opinions on the various multiple-disc cycles of his orchestral works? The choices seem to be between Noseda/BBC Phil/Chandos (2 volumes, in progress), Válek/Prague RSO/Supraphon (3 discs), Kuchar/Janáček PO/Brilliant (3 discs). Did I miss any?
I've got the Kuchar and the performances are vigorous, energetic and entertaining;
Ma Vlast not the best, but then that's not why you get a complete set. (And the
Bartered Bride excerpts ARE just about the best.)
There are a lot of "Festive" and "Comic" overtures which are really quite delightful; obviously the overture to
The Bartered Bride was not an anomaly.
If you don't mind my adding a question, does anyone know anything about his piano music?
About his piano music, IMHO Smetana can be named the Czech Liszt. His short pieces are simply delightful, with all the charm and humor
of the best Czech music, and technically very difficult. The recording
of some of them by the great Rudolf Firkusny is already legendary. :D
Quote from: DFO on July 20, 2009, 08:53:12 AM
About his piano music, IMHO Smetana can be named the Czech Liszt. His short pieces are simply delightful, with all the charm and humor
of the best Czech music, and technically very difficult. The recording
of some of them by the great Rudolf Firkusny is already legendary. :D
Do you refer to the Firkusny recording on Vox or EMI (Capitol)?
The Capitol one. Less sure technically but maybe more poetic is Jan Novotny. He recorded 16 short pieces on a double Supraphon.
I don't recall much discussion of the music of this wonderful Czech composer here . Why "Smetana's sour cream factory"?
Smetana means sour cream in Czech !
His music doesn't seem to be played much currently outside the Czech republic, which is a pity, and quite of few of his works are very little known outside there. The Moldau (Vltava river) is familiar, but performances of the whole great Ma Vlast cycle are rare .
The only one of his seven operas which is wel known outside the Czech republic is the Bartred Bride, and even that isn't done much today , also a pity. Thankfully, a Met revival with a new production will not be too long in the to be conducted by James lev ine, health permitting .
But his other operas , Dalibor, The Two Widows, The Kiss, The Brandenburgers in Bohemia, Libuse ( LI- boo-sheh) ,
and The Devil's Wall are almost totally unknown to the general public . I've heard all of them on Supraphon recordings , and have found them all highly enjoyable .
I also have the Supraphon recording with Karel Sejna and the Czech Philharmonic, of his one symphony , which unfortunately uses the melody of "Deutschland Uber Allles " as its main theme, of course long before the Nazis appropriated it for their own nefarious purposes ,and it's also very much worth hearing .
Other interesting orchestral works of Smetana are the symphonic poems "Wallenstein's Camp" and "Richard the Third ".
There is also a remarkable piano piece, laterorchestrated by someone else called "Macbeth and the Witches ", which uses strtling 20th century style dissonances .
Many eminent conductors have recorded the complete Ma Vlast , not only Czech ones : Kubelik, Neumann, Talich, Ancerl, Smetacek,
Belohlavek, Pesek, Berglund, Mehta, Macal, Sargent , etc.
Any other thpoughts here about Smetana ?
A Smetana thread has already been started here:
http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,13563.msg334774.html#msg334774
Quote from: Superhorn on November 08, 2012, 07:17:32 AM
I don't recall much discussion of the music of this wonderful Czech composer here . Why "Smetana's sour cream factory"?
Smetana means sour cream in Czech !
His music doesn't seem to be played much currently outside the Czech republic, which is a pity, and quite of few of his works are very little known outside there. The Moldau (Vltava river) is familiar, but performances of the whole great Ma Vlast cycle are rare .
The only one of his seven operas which is wel known outside the Czech republic is the Bartred Bride, and even that isn't done much today , also a pity. Thankfully, a Met revival with a new production will not be too long in the to be conducted by James lev ine, health permitting .
But his other operas , Dalibor, The Two Widows, The Kiss, The Brandenburgers in Bohemia, Libuse ( LI- boo-sheh) ,
and The Devil's Wall are almost totally unknown to the general public . I've heard all of them on Supraphon recordings , and have found them all highly enjoyable .
I also have the Supraphon recording with Karel Sejna and the Czech Philharmonic, of his one symphony , which unfortunately uses the melody of "Deutschland Uber Allles " as its main theme, of course long before the Nazis appropriated it for their own nefarious purposes ,and it's also very much worth hearing .
Other interesting orchestral works of Smetana are the symphonic poems "Wallenstein's Camp" and "Richard the Third ".
There is also a remarkable piano piece, laterorchestrated by someone else called "Macbeth and the Witches ", which uses strtling 20th century style dissonances .
Many eminent conductors have recorded the complete Ma Vlast , not only Czech ones : Kubelik, Neumann, Talich, Ancerl, Smetacek,
Belohlavek, Pesek, Berglund, Mehta, Macal, Sargent , etc.
Any other thpoughts here about Smetana ?
Why haven't you mentioned his chamber music?
Oops. I forgot the autobiographical string quartet "From my life") , which in one section depicts the compoer's growing deafness with a high pitched note representing ringing in the ear .
George Szell made an orchestration of the quartet, and it has been recorded, by I forget which conductor or conductors.
I belive there is one with Geoffrey Simon and the LSO.
My goodness! Only four posts in Smetana's thread? What a travesty! :o
Anyway, I listened to the overture to The Bartered Bride as played by Chicago SO under Fritz Reiner (1955) and there was something very weird about it. I cannot put a finger on what it was exactly, but there were details that made it sound distinctly non-Czech. I suppose being so familiar with the tune since childhood and always hearing it from Czech orchestras, it kind of brings such a reaction.
Quote from: Fafner on March 12, 2013, 06:29:27 AM
My goodness! Only four posts in Smetana's thread? What a travesty! :o
Anyway, I listened to the overture to The Bartered Bride as played by Chicago SO under Fritz Reiner (1955) and there was something very weird about it. I cannot put a finger on what it was exactly, but there were details that made it sound distinctly non-Czech. I suppose being so familiar with the tune since childhood and always hearing it from Czech orchestras, it kind of brings such a reaction.
The reason we need new members constantly is to prevent travesties like this. And you came just in time!
I have to confess that I have not heard any of Smetana's operas. I love the chamber music and the piano music probably more than the orchestrals ones, possibly because Ma Vlast suffered from over-exposure, in my case.
Quote from: springrite on March 12, 2013, 06:38:55 AM
I have to confess that I have not heard any of Smetana's operas.
Yes, Smetana was mainly a composer of operas in his time, but nowadays they are rarely played. With the exception of
The Bartered Bride, which is a staple of the Czech operatic repertoire.
Libuše is really a nationalistic artefact without much dramatic potential beyond the final "clairvoyance" scene. I would mostly recommend
Dalibor and
Two widows , the others are performed quite rarely.
The Bartered Bride overture is often played as an orchestral piece, because it is just lovely. There is an anecdote about Gustav Mahler who during his tenure with the MET decided to place the overture AFTER the first act so that even the New York snobs who always come late to the opera could hear it. ;D
By the way, just listening to Dvořák's Hussite Overture and it is a really interesting comparison to Smetana's Tábor (from Má Vlast). They are both based on the same theme (15th century war song "Ye Who Are Warriors of God"). Dvořák goes much further in terms of development of the theme. Smetana just basically quotes it verbatim throughout the entire piece.
It's a little known fact that Smetana wrote one symphony ,known as the "festive symphony ", and I have the excellent Supraphon recording with Karel Sejna and the Czech Philharmonic , coupled with other works by this ocmposer and Dvorak .
It's an attractive and melodious work, but unfortunately, the main theme of the slow movement is the the melody later called "Deutschland uber alles ", used of course, long before the Nazis appropriated it .
Haydn uses this melody, apparently a Croatian folk song, in one of his string quartets .
Only one page for this guy!? ??? Just wanted to resurrect this thread to point out what an awesome orchestration Szell made of Smetana's SQ no. 1:
[asin]B000007QCH[/asin]
I'm a real sucker for orchestrations of piano and chamber works, especially this one. Szell captures the passion and intensity of the original chamber version while adding a natural-sounding extra dimension. The performances of Dvorak 7-9 are unmissable as well! :)
latest on Forbes:
Classical CD Of The Week: Czech Please
(http://blogs-images.forbes.com/jenslaurson/files/2016/09/Forbes_Classical-CD-of-the-Week_LA-DOLCE-VOLTA_Talich-Quartet-Smetana_String-Quartets_Laurson_1200-1200x469.jpg)
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2016/09/07/classical-cd-of-the-week-czech-please/ (http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2016/09/07/classical-cd-of-the-week-czech-please/#18242e2b7ad4)
Bedřich Smetana , String Quartets, Talich String Quartet (La Dolce Volta)
Quote from: Fafner on March 12, 2013, 07:38:41 AM
By the way, just listening to Dvořák's Hussite Overture and it is a really interesting comparison to Smetana's Tábor (from Má Vlast). They are both based on the same theme (15th century war song "Ye Who Are Warriors of God"). Dvořák goes much further in terms of development of the theme. Smetana just basically quotes it verbatim throughout the entire piece.
Most interesting, thanks.
It seems that this great composer doesn't receive much attention in here :(
I was listening to a potent recording of his other tone poems apart from My Country (Richard III, Wallenstein's Camp and Hakon Jarl). Astounding music, sometimes riotous but always gripping and powerful, partly influenced by Liszt, being more evident on Richard III.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51BESLUvMtL._SX355_.jpg)
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on October 18, 2018, 04:11:57 PM
It seems that this great composer doesn't receive much attention in here :(
Or maybe his greatness is so assured that us GMGers have no inclination to state the obvious?
I'll be giving this a listen:
[asin]B00TKG6X2O[/asin]
(not breaking any new ground, clearly...)
Quote from: schnittkease on October 18, 2018, 06:41:23 PM
Or maybe his greatness is so assured that us GMGers have no inclination to state the obvious?
I'll be giving this a listen:
[asin]B00TKG6X2O[/asin]
(not breaking any new ground, clearly...)
Point taken ;)
Those quartets are quite deep. The tinnitus fragment in the SQ 1-4th movement gives me shivers. A work written from the soul.
Quite surprising to see such a modest thread for one of the greats! Well, let's give it a try:
This year's Prague Spring festival opened – as usual – with Smetana's Má vlast (My Fatherland), but there was a twist. The orchestra was Collegium 1704, the performance HIP to the bone, catgut and all. So if you yearned to hear a historically informed Vltava (Moldau) & co., you can do so via the Czech radio (https://vltava.rozhlas.cz/smetanova-ma-vlast-v-podani-collegia-1704-zahajila-prazske-jaro-poslechnete-si-8488371) – just click the white-on-blue play button and skip to 7:30, where the performance starts.
I've enjoyed it immensely and the overall clarity and instrument separation opened my ears to some less familiar parts of the work. Sweet!*
* trivia you didn't ask for: "smetana" means "cream" in Czech
Quote from: Lethevich on July 20, 2009, 07:20:06 AM
Surprised there isn't a serious thread on this fellow yet. I wanted to ask a question, but it wouldn't be a good way to start a thread without some kind of look at the music I do know:
His large symphonic poem cycle Má Vlast is as superb as its popularity implies, although like a few others, I find the two later-added pieces to be less inspired than the radiant first four. There are mercifully many great recordings of this work, so you could scarcely go wrong in buying one, but some of the most popular are Kubelik's last live recording on Supraphon, Wit's expansive take on Naxos, and Macal/Milwaukee SO(!) on Telarc.
His chamber works are sparse and gem-like in their quality. The two string quartets and the piano trio are essential works in their respective genres. The operas, much like Dvořák's, are quite neglected. I find myself preferring Smetana's to Dvořák due to a less routine method of composition which I have yet to fully understand. There is a great sweep to the music, sometimes in an almost oratoriac* manner, but also infused with dances and a lot of carefree moods. It is perhaps a little unfair that the only of his operas to have recieved any attention, The Bartered Bride, is the second of eight - and he shows no sign of having declined in compositional power towards the end of his life. The opposite is attested to in his chamber music.
*Made up words can be so useful!
Anyway, my question: what are your opinions on the various multiple-disc cycles of his orchestral works? The choices seem to be between Noseda/BBC Phil/Chandos (2 volumes, in progress), Válek/Prague RSO/Supraphon (3 discs), Kuchar/Janáček PO/Brilliant (3 discs). Did I miss any?
I think you've made an excellent summary of Smetana's output - I would add the piano works and the unaccompanied chorus music as having real power and interest too. I have enjoyed Jitka Chechova's multi disc survey on Supraphon for the former and various odds and ends on the same label for the latter.
As far as the orchestral collections are concerned - the Khuchar seems good at plugging the gaps of the "minor" works. Valek I have been generally underwhelmed by in just about anything he has done and Noseda's I don't know. Of course there are many very fine Ma Vlasts but the 3 you mention are all excellent but I'd add Ancerl (of course) and Berglund in Dresden and Levine in Vienna for a couple of more "left field" recommendations....
I was recently listening to Smetana's Piano Trio in G minor in this astounding recording:
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51C%2BrQEO5gL._SY355_.jpg)
I've always liked this piece, but upon listening to this recording it absolutely blew me away. It's now firmly one of my very favorite piano trios - a masterwork of great emotional depth and melodic distinction. Smetana wrote it after the death of his daughter and one can sense his pain in the music. The sheer soulfulness of the melodies and the imaginative ways in which Smetana utilizes them is just so touching. The transformation of of the wistful secondary theme in an ecstatic blaze of joy near the end of the movement is an absolutely incredible moment! Not to mention the work sounds quite ahead of its time for 1854-55! I consider it a shame that Smetana didn't write more chamber music, but we must be thankful we have this trio in addition to his two wonderful string quartets.
Quote from: kyjo on May 26, 2021, 07:43:53 AM
I was recently listening to Smetana's Piano Trio in G minor in this astounding recording:
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51C%2BrQEO5gL._SY355_.jpg)
I've always liked this piece, but upon listening to this recording it absolutely blew me away. It's now firmly one of my very favorite piano trios - a masterwork of great emotional depth and melodic distinction. Smetana wrote it after the death of his daughter and one can sense his pain in the music. The sheer soulfulness of the melodies and the imaginative ways in which Smetana utilizes them is just so touching. The transformation of of the wistful secondary theme in an ecstatic blaze of joy near the end of the movement is an absolutely incredible moment! Not to mention the work sounds quite ahead of its time for 1854-55! I consider it a shame that Smetana didn't write more chamber music, but we must be thankful we have this trio in addition to his two wonderful string quartets.
Seek out ANY recordings by this trio (the pianist and cellist are ever-presents but they do swap arounf filddlers!). Their recordings - whoever is playing - are excellent. Not sure but I think the performance of the Smetana Trio is the same as on this disc - just recoupled...?
(https://www.europadisc.co.uk/images/products-190/SU38102.jpg)
posssibly more interesting couplings...... (the Dvorak is great but perhaps a tad obvious?). Actually looking at those cover pics - it looks like a different violinist and the other 2 look a bit younger as well
EDIT: just checked - they are different; one recorded in 2000 the other in 2004
Quote from: kyjo on May 26, 2021, 07:43:53 AM
I was recently listening to Smetana's Piano Trio in G minor in this astounding recording:
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51C%2BrQEO5gL._SY355_.jpg)
I've always liked this piece, but upon listening to this recording it absolutely blew me away. It's now firmly one of my very favorite piano trios - a masterwork of great emotional depth and melodic distinction. Smetana wrote it after the death of his daughter and one can sense his pain in the music. The sheer soulfulness of the melodies and the imaginative ways in which Smetana utilizes them is just so touching. The transformation of of the wistful secondary theme in an ecstatic blaze of joy near the end of the movement is an absolutely incredible moment! Not to mention the work sounds quite ahead of its time for 1854-55! I consider it a shame that Smetana didn't write more chamber music, but we must be thankful we have this trio in addition to his two wonderful string quartets.
Absolutely great recording, strongly recommended. Excellent trio.
To these ears, these are the most vigorous and joyful of the performances of these superb pieces. The 2nd mov. from From my Life as played by this ensemble is as nothing else. It's infectious!
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61HD22bue1L._SY355_.jpg)
The new box of live Ancerl recordings has a Ma Vlast with the Czech Phil in good stereo sound. I've only had a brief listen so far, so can't say how it compares with the studio recording.
(https://www.supraphon.com/public/photo/300x300f/d/4/2448.jpg?1641219970)
Smetana, Bedřich (1824-1884) - my collection below w/ 3 versions of
Má Vlast, i.e. Kuchar in a 3-disc Brilliant offering and Rafael Kubelik (1914-1996) early in his career, 1952 w/ the Chicago SO on the Mercury Living Presence technology (sounds great!) and in 1990 w/ the Czech PO. The
String Trio & Quartets a must w/ plenty of other versions; finally,
Piano Music, a Brilliant 2-CD box from 1980/1988 w/ Antonin Kubalek & Peter Schmalfuss on separate discs - I'm sure there may be 'better' piano recordings. Despite his opera fame, especially w/
The Bartered Bride, only have some instrumental pieces in the Kuchar box. Comments and other recommendations for this seemingly important composer who receives little attention - ??? :laugh: Dave
QuoteBedřich Smetana was a Czech composer who pioneered a musical style that became closely identified with his people's aspirations to a cultural and political "revival." He is regarded as the father of Czech music. Internationally he is best known for his 1866 opera The Bartered Bride and for the symphonic cycle Má vlast ("My Fatherland"), which portrays the history, legends and landscape of the composer's native Bohemia. It contains the famous symphonic poem "Vltava", also popularly known by its German name "Die Moldau" (in English, "The Moldau"). (Source (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bed%C5%99ich_Smetana))
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61jEk6N3-ML._UX250_FMwebp_QL85_.jpg) (https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91bE0oui+jL._SL1405_.jpg) (https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51PxlGzDkCL._SX466_.jpg)
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51l4B6HYm+L._UX250_FMwebp_QL85_.jpg) (https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51FvIFb0-oL._UX250_FMwebp_QL85_.jpg) (https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61YSBGQBJTL.jpg)
Quote from: SonicMan46 on June 25, 2022, 07:40:33 AM
Smetana, Bedřich (1824-1884) - my collection below w/ 3 versions of Má Vlast, i.e. Kuchar in a 3-disc Brilliant offering and Rafael Kubelik (1914-1996) early in his career, 1952 w/ the Chicago SO on the Mercury Living Presence technology (sounds great!) and in 1990 w/ the Czech PO. The String Trio & Quartets a must w/ plenty of other versions; finally, Piano Music, a Brilliant 2-CD box from 1980/1988 w/ Antonin Kubalek & Peter Schmalfuss on separate discs - I'm sure there may be 'better' piano recordings. Despite his opera fame, especially w/ The Bartered Bride, only have some instrumental pieces in the Kuchar box. Comments and other recommendations for this seemingly important composer who receives little attention - ??? :laugh: Dave
Love Smetana
Dave! It would probably be too much crossover of what you already own, but Eloquence's 2CD Smetana orchestral compilation, mostly from Kubelik, is excellent! FYE, it is Kubelik with the Boston SO in Má Vlast.
(https://static.universal-music.de/asset_new/102404/195/view/smetana-ma-vlast-richard-iii-wallensteins-camp-hakon-jarl-etc-0028945941828.jpg)
Quote from: VonStupp on June 25, 2022, 10:41:49 AM
Love Smetana Dave! It would probably be too much crossover of what you already own, but Eloquence's 2CD Smetana orchestral compilation, mostly from Kubelik, is excellent! FYE, it is Kubelik with the Boston SO in Má Vlast.
(https://static.universal-music.de/asset_new/102404/195/view/smetana-ma-vlast-richard-iii-wallensteins-camp-hakon-jarl-etc-0028945941828.jpg)
Hi
VS - looks like a nice 2-disc collection - the Brilliant Kuchar set has 3-CDs and nearly the same material plus more and is well done; so those in the market for these orchestral works have a number of choices, price certainly being a consideration. Thanks. Dave :)
I have these lesser known tone poems w/ Kubelik in another coupling (janacek sinfonietta) but I don't remember anything about them... I guess they are far less known than Ma vlast for a reason.
I don't have clear suggestions but about the only thing that comes to mind is a modern "sonic spectacular" (SACD or at least recent digital) recording of Ma vlast because otherwise these Kubelik recordings are considered the classics.
I have not heard the Pavel Haas in the Smetana quartets but I expect them to be very good. Not sure if a ~1970s studio recording of the eponymous quartet is available (they made several but some might be live in not so great sound; studio Denon/Supraphon should be fine, though).
Quote from: SonicMan46 on June 25, 2022, 07:40:33 AM
Smetana, Bedřich (1824-1884) - my collection below w/ 3 versions of Má Vlast, i.e. Kuchar in a 3-disc Brilliant offering and Rafael Kubelik (1914-1996) early in his career, 1952 w/ the Chicago SO on the Mercury Living Presence technology (sounds great!) and in 1990 w/ the Czech PO. The String Trio & Quartets a must w/ plenty of other versions; finally, Piano Music, a Brilliant 2-CD box from 1980/1988 w/ Antonin Kubalek & Peter Schmalfuss on separate discs - I'm sure there may be 'better' piano recordings. Despite his opera fame, especially w/ The Bartered Bride, only have some instrumental pieces in the Kuchar box. Comments and other recommendations for this seemingly important composer who receives little attention - ??? :laugh: Dave
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61jEk6N3-ML._UX250_FMwebp_QL85_.jpg) (https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91bE0oui+jL._SL1405_.jpg) (https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51PxlGzDkCL._SX466_.jpg)
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51l4B6HYm+L._UX250_FMwebp_QL85_.jpg) (https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51FvIFb0-oL._UX250_FMwebp_QL85_.jpg) (https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61YSBGQBJTL.jpg)
Good stuff all. If I could only have one MaVlast it would be the live Kubelik/Czech PO. I remember watching that concert on a live broadcast. You could feel the sense of history.
The Kosler/Czech PO Bartered Bride is the one to go for - good sound and very authentic. After that perhaps try Libuse as an example of a ki d if mythic/heroic Slavic opera.
Quote from: Roasted Swan on June 25, 2022, 11:46:06 AM
Good stuff all. If I could only have one MaVlast it would be the live Kubelik/Czech PO. I remember watching that concert on a live broadcast. You could feel the sense of history.
The Kosler/Czech PO Bartered Bride is the one to go for - good sound and very authentic. After that perhaps try Libuse as an example of a ki d if mythic/heroic Slavic opera.
Thanks for the comments - I liked both of the Kubelik recordings, done 38 years apart! Also, for those interested in the 1990 'live' performance, there is short, subdued applause at the very end; but those Mercury Presence engineers were quite amazing! Dave :)
By golly! :o 400+ pages of Havergal Brian and only two of Smetana!? :-\ Make it make sense. ???
Exploring the Martinu thread eventually brought me here. Just looking for the different recommendations outside of Ma Vlast and the String Quartets.
Looks like I need a recording of the Piano Trio!
Mostly for me it is Ma Vlast, the string quartets, the piano trio, and the Bartered Bride. But Garrick Ohlsson's solo piano album on Hyperion is really charming music, really well played.
I was recently astonished by one of the "historical" tone poems but forget which one. Tomorrow I'll give them another listen and tell you which.
Quote from: OrchestralNut on March 21, 2023, 06:00:52 PMBy golly! :o 400+ pages of Havergal Brian and only two of Smetana!? :-\ Make it make sense. ???
Scandalous, isn't it? ;D
I know! The 400s is shockingly low!
Quote from: OrchestralNut on March 21, 2023, 06:00:52 PMBy golly! :o 400+ pages of Havergal Brian and only two of Smetana!? :-\ Make it make sense. ???
Exploring the Martinu thread eventually brought me here. Just looking for the different recommendations outside of Ma Vlast and the String Quartets.
Looks like I need a recording of the Piano Trio!
Yes you do! Coincidentally I like the playing of the eponymous Smetana Trio in just about anything but their performance of the piano trio is excellent;
(https://www.supraphon.com/public/photo/300x300f/c/9/408.jpg?1489695481)
but there are a LOT of fine versions
Quote from: Roasted Swan on March 21, 2023, 11:30:07 PMYes you do! Coincidentally I like the playing of the eponymous Smetana Trio in just about anything but their performance of the piano trio is excellent;
(https://www.supraphon.com/public/photo/300x300f/c/9/408.jpg?1489695481)
but there are a LOT of fine versions
Thanks, I was indeed eyeing that very recording.
So, these are the recordings I am potentially considering:
(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiODAyMzQ5NS4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTAwfSwianBlZyI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoianBlZyJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE0MDU1MDA4ODN9)
(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiNzkzNzI2OS4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTAwfSwianBlZyI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoianBlZyJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE2NzQ2ODk5MDZ9)
(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiNzk0MTIzNi4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTAwfSwianBlZyI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoianBlZyJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE2Njg1MjM3MDd9)
(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiODA4MzM2Mi4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTAwfSwianBlZyI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoianBlZyJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE1NjQ3NDQ2OTF9)
We're up to page 3, yay! 8)
Some "Leckerbissen" by Smetana ( smetana = sour cream/Schmand...) :
Quote from: OrchestralNut on March 22, 2023, 07:30:51 AMSo, these are the recordings I am potentially considering:
(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiODAyMzQ5NS4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTAwfSwianBlZyI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoianBlZyJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE0MDU1MDA4ODN9)
Those Kuchar recordings are not bad at all. But at least Ma Vlast is much better recorded, so for that you may want to look elsewhere.
Quote from: Harry on March 22, 2023, 07:57:43 AMThose Kuchar recordings are not bad at all. But at least Ma Vlast is much better recorded, so for that you may want to look elsewhere.
Thanks Harry. I already have Ma Vlast with Kubelik/Vienna - 1959 recording.
Quote from: OrchestralNut on March 22, 2023, 07:59:04 AMThanks Harry. I already have Ma Vlast with Kubelik/Vienna - 1959 recording.
That's the recording to go for!!!! :)
I have all the Kuchar recordings in the big Brilliant Kuchar box, which also includes his Nielsen cycle, Shostakovich, Latin American classics, and Dvorak. You can usually find it for US $35-40. Like Harry said, the Ma Vlast is not the best, but the rest of it - the things you want to collect - are very good. He is a reliable guide to little-known music. That looks like a good shopping list.
By the way, the piece I was blown away by is Wallenstein's Camp. It is structured like a true symphonic poem, i.e., it is not structured ;D the opening is shocking, it drops you head-first into the action. Things get less exciting after about 30 seconds, but throughout the whole rest of the piece, the images and colors involve really unusual, surprising solo parts, rhythms, and "plot twists" in the music. And at the end, every motif comes back together again for a big climax. The Kuchar performance is really thrilling but I also have it in the Kubelik complete DG box.
Quote from: Brian on March 22, 2023, 08:29:38 AMI have all the Kuchar recordings in the big Brilliant Kuchar box, which also includes his Nielsen cycle, Shostakovich, Latin American classics, and Dvorak. You can usually find it for US $35-40. Like Harry said, the Ma Vlast is not the best, but the rest of it - the things you want to collect - are very good. He is a reliable guide to little-known music. That looks like a good shopping list.
By the way, the piece I was blown away by is Wallenstein's Camp. It is structured like a true symphonic poem, i.e., it is not structured ;D the opening is shocking, it drops you head-first into the action. Things get less exciting after about 30 seconds, but throughout the whole rest of the piece, the images and colors involve really unusual, surprising solo parts, rhythms, and "plot twists" in the music. And at the end, every motif comes back together again for a big climax. The Kuchar performance is really thrilling but I also have it in the Kubelik complete DG box.
Thanks, I was curious which piece you were talking about yesterday.
Quote from: Brian on March 22, 2023, 08:29:38 AMI have all the Kuchar recordings in the big Brilliant Kuchar box, which also includes his Nielsen cycle, Shostakovich, Latin American classics, and Dvorak. You can usually find it for US $35-40. Like Harry said, the Ma Vlast is not the best, but the rest of it - the things you want to collect - are very good. He is a reliable guide to little-known music. That looks like a good shopping list.
By the way, the piece I was blown away by is Wallenstein's Camp. It is structured like a true symphonic poem, i.e., it is not structured ;D the opening is shocking, it drops you head-first into the action. Things get less exciting after about 30 seconds, but throughout the whole rest of the piece, the images and colors involve really unusual, surprising solo parts, rhythms, and "plot twists" in the music. And at the end, every motif comes back together again for a big climax. The Kuchar performance is really thrilling but I also have it in the Kubelik complete DG box.
Noseda on Chandos is also a good option. Stunning sonics too.
Quote from: Roasted Swan on March 21, 2023, 11:30:07 PM(https://www.supraphon.com/public/photo/300x300f/c/9/408.jpg?1489695481)
It also looks like the pianist from the Smetana Trio,
Jitka Cechová, has recorded at least 7 volumes of piano music on Supraphon for Smetana. Does anyone have these and can provide comments and feedback?
Quote from: OrchestralNut on March 22, 2023, 11:55:20 AMIt also looks like the pianist from the Smetana Trio, Jitka Cechová, has recorded at least 7 volumes of piano music on Supraphon for Smetana. Does anyone have these and can provide comments and feedback?
That's odd - I posted a comment yesterday about exactly Cechová's survey so don't know where that went. I think she is very good indeed - the only possible thing is that by being "complete" the major/most interesting works are spread across the survey so you tend to get major works alongside quite minor stuff. All interesting and certainly well played but my guess is there might be other single or two disc surveys which will give you the key works only. As a unrepentant "completist" I'm happy to have the 7 disc set but I can imagine others getting "polka'd out....."!!!
Supraphon (https://www.supraphon.com/artists/574-jitka-cechova-piano)
"The focus of Jitka Čechová's repertoire is on works by the Czech composers – Smetana, Dvořák, Janáček, and Martinů. She has given two concerts consisting of works by Smetana at the world-famous Edinburgh Festival in Scotland. Zdeněk Lukáš dedicated his Third Piano Concerto to her, which she premiered with spectacular success during her concert tour of Germany with the Symphony Orchestra Südwestfunk (cond. Petr Altrichter).
In 2014 – in the year of Bedrich Smetana´s jubilee – she finished her recording of the complete piano works by Bedřich Smetana for Supraphon (8 CDs), a project that has collected awards by major music critics and magazines both at home and abroad – Diapason, Répertoire, International Record Review, and Harmonie. Recently she made a recording of all three piano concertos and concertino written by Josef Palenicek in the cooperation with the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra (cond. Ronald Zollman and Stanislav Vavrinek). Presently she is cooperating on the large project of the complete sonatas recordning by Domenico Scarlatti for the Czech Radio.
She has given master classes in Prague, London, the Northern College of Music in Manchester, Brasilia and Campos do Jordao in Brazil, the Colburn School University in Los Angeles, Eau Claire in Wisconsin, and in Luxemburg."
https://www.jitkacechova.com/en/repertoire (https://www.jitkacechova.com/en/repertoire/)
Quote from: Roasted Swan on March 23, 2023, 02:15:05 AMmy guess is there might be other single or two disc surveys which will give you the key works only. As a unrepentant "completist" I'm happy to have the 7 disc set but I can imagine others getting "polka'd out....."!!!
(https://garrickohlsson.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Smetana.jpg)(https://i.scdn.co/image/ab67616d0000b2738e19b5f931640f293bd43485)
First listen to this - disc 2:
Wallenstein's Camp, Op. 14
Hakon Jarl, Op. 16
Richard III, Op. 11
The Bartered Bride Overture and Three Dances
Doktor Faust Overture to the puppet play by Matej Kopecky
Venkovanka, The Peasant Woman, Polka
Nasim Devam, To our Girls, Polka
Thrilling orchestral music! Listened yesterday to disc 1 (Ma Vlast) and I really enjoyed the recording (much better than the impression other members were giving it).
(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiODAyMzQ5NS4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTAwfSwianBlZyI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoianBlZyJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE0MDU1MDA4ODN9)
Quote from: Roasted Swan on March 23, 2023, 02:15:05 AMThat's odd - I posted a comment yesterday about exactly Cechová's survey so don't know where that went. I think she is very good indeed - the only possible thing is that by being "complete" the major/most interesting works are spread across the survey so you tend to get major works alongside quite minor stuff. All interesting and certainly well played but my guess is there might be other single or two disc surveys which will give you the key works only. As a unrepentant "completist" I'm happy to have the 7 disc set but I can imagine others getting "polka'd out....."!!!
So, do you know how to polka RS? It can be a lot of fun. :)
PD
@DavidW just tipped me off to this YouTube commentator, and this is the second show of his I've watched:
Quote from: Karl Henning on January 02, 2024, 09:31:26 AM@DavidW just tipped me off to this YouTube commentator, and this is the second show of his I've watched:
I remember seeing that concert when it was broadcast live on British TV (the BBC I assume but can't remember). Talk about a performance laden with extra-musical significance and meaning! Just stunning and still one of my very favourite versions of Ma Vlast.........
I love Ancerl (and just listened to it a few days ago) and also the more modern Bĕlohlávek that I have... but I'll have to check out the other ones mentioned in the video.
Another Bicentenary composer for 2024!
Quote from: Karl Henning on January 02, 2024, 09:31:26 AM@DavidW just tipped me off to this YouTube commentator, and this is the second show of his I've watched:
I didn't even have to watch it to know that it's one of my favorites (and also well regarded) versions of Ma Vlast: love it! I'm taking it that he likes it...or am I wrong (also judging by others comments here)? Will have to look into his postings.
PD
Quote from: Karl Henning on January 02, 2024, 09:31:26 AM@DavidW just tipped me off to this YouTube commentator, and this is the second show of his I've watched:
I looked over his videos briefly. He doesn't seem to include much recorded in the last 40 years. This is an exception, as it's only about 35 years old. And, yes, it's one of my favorites, too, along with Berglund and Ancerl.