Sinfonietta, umaovo dt, Balada blanick,Taras Bulba – CD

This CD presents Leo Janeks four major symphonic works: the symphonic poems The Fiddlers Child, The Blank Ballad and Taras Bulba, together with the celebrated Sinfonietta. Created over eight years between 1913 and 1920, the symphonic poems reflect the turbulent political events and social tensions of their time, as well as Janeks interest in Czech and Russian literature. The Blank Ballad is based on a poem by Jaroslav Vrchlick, while The Fiddlers Child draws on a poem by Svatopluk ech. In Nikolai Gogols story Taras Bulba, Janek was impressed by the Cossack leader, whom he called a prophet of Slavdom. The Sinfonietta, Janeks most important orchestral composition, received its premiere in Prague in June 1926. Tom Netopil conducts the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, bringing his distinctive interpretation of Janeks music to this new recording.