Mackerras and Janácek arm in arm

Mackerras’s long relationship both with Janácek’s music and with the Czech Philharmonic shines through these orchestral works

Composer: Janácek
Repertoire: Orchestral works
Artists: Czech Phil/ Sir Charles Mackerras
Rating: 4/5
Genre: Orchestral
Label: Supraphon SU3739-2032

The Sinfonietta, recorded live (like Taras Bulba), is thrillingly delivered – its trumpet fanfares blaze radiantly, rather than the usual crude blaring. And the Káta Kabanová overture soars and surges with the dark passion that it should. Compared to these brilliant readings, the others are merely very fine, among them a grand and vivid Taras Bulba.