Leos Janacek with his wife Zdenka Schulzova the year they married, 1881 Photo: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
Though Janáček had a long composing career, it was not until the last twelve years of his life that he wrote the seven operas, three orchestral pieces and two string quartets which became his greatest successes.
Elric Hooper and Des Wilson describe his impoverished upbringing, his forthright character and how the nationalistic love he had for his country, its language and traditions informed his music.
Music Details:
JANACEK: Sinfonietta, mvt 1 - BBC Phil/ Charles Mackerras (BBC Music BBC MM 302)
JANACEK: Jenufa's prayer - Renée Fleming (sop), Mariinsky Theatre Orch/ Valery Gergiev (Decca 475 8070)
JANACEK: Komu kytka - Magdalena Kozená (mezzo), Graham Johnson (pno) (DG 463 472)
JANACEK: Videt se s nim, Katya - Elisabeth Söderström (sop), Petr Dvorsky (ten), various soloists, Vienna State Opera Chorus, Vienna Phil/ Charles Mackerras (Decca 421 852)
JANACEK: Andante, String Quartet No.2, Intimate Letters - Emerson String Quartet (DG 477 8093)
JANACEK: Hubo nebymachana, from Mr Broucek - BBC Singers, BBC SO/ Jirí Belohlávek (DG 477 7387)
JANACEK: Nerikal, from Cunning Little Vixen - Lucia Popp (sop), Dalibor Jedlicka (bass), Vienna State Opera Chorus, Vienna Phil (Decca 417 129)
JANACEK: Finale, Jenufa - Elisabeth Söderström (sop), Eva Randova (mezzo), Vienna Phil/ Charles Mackerras (Decca 475 8227)
JANACEK: Ptacci prileti na mohylu, from Katya Kabanova - Elisabeth Söderström (sop), Petr Dvorsky (ten), various soloists, Vienna State Opera Chorus, Vienna Phil/ Charles Mackerras (Decca 421 852)
JANACEK: Pecitko s inicialkou, from Makropulos - Elisabeth Söderström (sop), Petr Dvorsky (ten), various soloists, Vienna State Opera Chorus, Vienna Phil/ Charles Mackerras (Decca 430 372)
JANACEK: Glagolitic Mass, mvt 9 - Danish National Radio Choir & SO, Charles Mackerras (Chandos CHAN 9310)
