LEOŠ JANÁČEK (1854-1928)

Glagolitic Mass, Sinfonietta

Christiane Libor, soprano

Ewa Marciniec, alto

Timothy Bentch, tenor

Wojciech Gierlach, bass

Jarosław Malanowicz, organ

Warsaw Philharmonic Choir & Orchestra / Antoni Wit

Mša glagolskaja (Glagolitic Mass), JW III/9 (final version) Sinfonietta, JW VI/18

Leoš Janáček’s dramatic Glagolitic Mass is set to a ninth century Old Church Slavonic text. With its highly individual synthesis of thunderous brass outbursts, rhythmic energy, radiant melodies and interludes of rapt contemplation, the work has established itself as a unique contribution to the choral repertoire. An avowed statement of his belief and patriotic pride in Czechoslovakian national independence, Janáček’s Sinfonietta uses spectacular large-scale orchestral forces. Both of these works belong to the composer’s last and most inspired decade, and represent his mature musical language at its most communicative.

The team of singers, orchestra and conductor for these performances already has a fine track record in numerous acclaimed Naxos releases, and with such a magnificent production of two major 20th century Czech masterpieces we are backing this stunning recording of an unbeatable Janáček.

Antoni Wit, one of the most highly regarded Polish conductors, studied conducting with Henryk Czyz and composition with Krzysztof Penderecki at the Academy of Music in Kraków, subsequently continuing his studies with Nadia Boulanger in Paris. In 2002 he became managing and artistic director of the Warsaw Philharmonic Choir & Orchestra.

Naxos 8572639