LeoΕ‘ JanΓ‘Δek
Donald Macleod illustrates Leos Janacekβs inner tensions through five key relationships
Donald Macleod illustrates Leos Janacekβs inner tensions through five key relationships
One of the most original voices of the twentieth century, LeoΕ‘ JanΓ‘Δek was a composer, musical theorist, folklorist and teacher. Born in 1854 in the Moravian village of Hukvaldy, which was then part of the Austrian Empire, in his youth German was the language of government, education and social influence. Having returned from studies in Germany, JanΓ‘Δek made detailed studies of native folk song and spent years annotating the natural rhythms of the Czech language. He was to write all his works for stage in his native language. The range of his professional activities gave him a range of outlets to voice what quickly became a life-long commitment to Czech culture.
JanΓ‘Δek was a contradictory man, who spent much of his life feeling at odds with his circumstances. Through five of his closest relationships, Donald Macleod builds a picture of how his inner tensions found expression in his music.
Music featured:
Suite for Strings, Andante con moto (3rd movement)
Four male-voice choruses
Lachian Dances
Ε Γ‘rka (excerpt from Act 1)
Sinfonietta
LaveΔka (The Bench)
Theme with variations (Zdenka Variations)
Amarus (3rd movement)
Janacek, rev. Mackerras: The Cunning Little Vixen Orchestral Suite JW 1/9
Quartet no.1 (The Kreutzer Quartet)
Nejistota JW V/2
Hukvaldy Songs
Taras Bulba
±Κ΄Η³σΓ‘»ε°μ²Ή
JenΕ―fa β excerpt from Act 1
Katβa Kabanova β Act 3 excerpt
The diary of one who disappeared (excerpt)
Quartet for strings no. 2: Intimate Letters
Glagolitic Mass β Credo
Ε½Γ‘°ω±τΎ±±Ή΄Η²υ³Ω
On the overgrown path (excerpts)
The Excursions of Mr BrouΔek
The Fiddlerβs Child
PotulnΓ½ Ε‘Γlenec
Presented by Donald Macleod
Produced by Johannah Smith for ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Wales
For full tracklistings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for LeoΕ‘ JanΓ‘Δek /programmes/m000cr48
And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers weβve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z
Podcast
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Composer of the Week
Donald Macleod explores the life and work of composers.