Leoš JANÁČEK (1854-1928)
Piano Sonata in E flat minor 1:x From the Street (1905) [13:30]
On An Overgrown Path - Cycle of piano pieces: Books 1 and 2 (1901-08)
[47:13]
Reminiscence (1928) [1:08]
In the Mist - four piano pieces: (1912) [15:42]
Slávka Pĕchočová (piano)
rec. Prague Martinů Concert Hall, September - November 2009.
PRAGA DSD250266 
[77:33]
Exactly this same programme was recorded by British pianist, Charles Owen,
for Somm (SOMMCD 028) in 2002. This review will use that earlier recording
as a comparator.
Janáček’s description for his 1905 Piano Sonata - Street
Scene 1.X 1905 - refers to the killing of a workman during a citizens’ clash,
in Brno on October 1st 1905, over a proposal to build a university.
It clearly had a profound effect on Janáček for the composer prefaced
the score with a short poem that included the lines, ‘... He came only
to plead for a university ... And was killed by cruel murderers.’ Both
Owen and Pĕchočová realise the alternating anger and tenderness
and the closing wistfulness of the opening ‘Presentiments’. The
second movement, ‘The Death’, with the same material given to the
two hands and moving in one or two octaves apart, utters shocked numbing repetitions.
This is so revealing: communicating bitterness and almost uncontrollable anger.
On balance Owen seems to get to the heart of the tragedy of this Sonata that
much more effectively.
The pieces that comprise Book 1 of On an Overgrown Path have descriptive
titles (their meaning sometimes ambiguous) but the five that comprise Book
2 have only music markings. A clue to the music comes from some commentators
whose view of the work is ‘a reminiscence of Janáček’s
daughter, Olga, who, his only child to survive infancy, had fallen ill and
died just short of her 21st birthday. Pĕchočová’s
reading of the opening ‘Our Evenings’ lacks Owen’s contrast
of mood and colour. Her interpretation did not move me so much; perhaps her
fingering was just that bit too heavy for such a title - tenderness was lacking.
Yet her ‘A Leaf Gone with the Wind’ haunted even if the pauses
seemed a little long. But then Pĕchočová’s ‘Come
With Us’ seemed colourless, lacking in any form of expression in comparison
to Owen whereas her ‘The Madonna of Frýdek’ was beautifully
realised. ‘They Chattered Like Swallows’ was a nice vision, jolly
and childlike. After a sombre beginning, ‘Words Fail’, alternated
a lovely lilting with strong forceful chords while ‘Good night’ hesitates,
suggesting pent-up anxiety, then relief. In ‘Unutterable Anguish’ Pĕchočová demonstrates
this anguish only too well. ‘In Tears’ we are left wondering: are
these tears of joy or sorrow; we are left guessing because of the varying rhythms
and moods. Finally, alternate fortissimo flourishes and quiet gentleness inform ‘The
Little Owl Has Not (YET?) Flown Away’.
The Andante and Allegretto the two opening movements of Book
2 On an Overgrown Path are similar in style, reflective, anxious and
angry in turn. The Paralipomenas are all so similar too. There is often evidence
of thematic linking and frequently Moravian folk-dance rhythms. The little
Reminiscences are quite charming and lyrical. Pĕchočová’s
reveries are beguiling enough.
Finally the four-segment In the Mists mixes secular and liturgical influences.
There is evidence of Janáček’s fondness for native speech-rhythms
as well as more fragile images suggesting, perhaps, Vespers heard in distant,
evening twilight. Pĕchočová rises well to the challenges of
this often complex music. It displays frequent mood-changes from lyrical and
thoughtful and gentle and tender to anger and confusion.
As much as I enjoyed this new recording I felt that Pĕchočová’s
readings lacked the conviction, colour and expression Charles Owen brought
to these lovely works.
Grace Lace
Pĕchočová’s readings lacked the conviction, colour and
expression Charles Owen brought to these lovely works ... see Full Review
Full tracklist
Piano Sonata in E flat minor 1:x:1905 ‘From the Street’ (1905) [13:30]
‘
Presentiment’ [5:55] and ‘The Death’ [7:28]
On An Overgrown Path Cycle of piano pieces 91901-08)
Book 1 [29:47]: ‘Our evenings’ [3:22]; ‘A Leaf Gone
with the Wind’ [3:05], ‘Come With Us’ [1:16]; ‘The
Holy Virgin of Frýdek’ [3:37]; ‘They Chattered Like Little
Swallows’ [2:22]; ‘Words Fail!’ [1:58]; ‘Good Night!’ [3:00];
Unutterable Anguish [3:36]; ‘In tears’ [3:17]; ‘The Little
Owl Has Flown Away’ [3:33].
Book 2 [16:49]: Andante [3:00]; Allegro [3:40]; Paralipomenas
(i) più mosso [2:25]; (ii) vivo [2:38]; (iii) allegro [5:03]
Reminiscence (1928) [1:08]
In the Mist four piano pieces: (1912) [15:42]: Andante [3:31];
Molto adagio [4:48]; Andantino [2:38]; presto [4:27]