Janáček L. String Quartets No.1 & 2, Concertino / Pražák Quartet, S.Pěchočová-Vernerová

1.-4. Leoš Janáček (1854-1928) - String Quartet No.1 Inspired by Tolstoy's Kreutzer Sonata 17:23

5.-8. Leoš Janáček - Piano Concertino for Piano, Two Violins, Viola, Clarinets, French Horn and Bassoon 16:35

9.-12. Leoš Janáček - String Quartet No.2 Intimate Letters 25:26

Pražák Quartet

and Slávka Pěchočová-Vernerová piano, Milan Polák clarinet, Lukáš Kořínek bassoon, Jan Vobořil French horn

Unusual last Janáček chamber programme : the vital string quartets but also the Concertino, an adventurous, amazingly experimental work. Its 'programme' recalls the naturalism and anthropomorphisms of the adventures of the Cunning Little Vixen. The concluding Allegro, opening with an unpredictable, almost swaggering recitative, is progressively hinged on an increasingly rapid rhythm that leads to a popular scene of jubilation that foreshadows the fanfares of the Glagolitic Mass.

(Praga Digitals)