Janáček: The Excursions of Mr Broucek

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The instrumental playing here is magnificent and the BBC Singers negotiate their often stratospheric lines with raw passion and enviable confidence. But what makes the whole performance of this... — BBC Music Magazine, April 2008, 5 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 4th Feb 2008
Catalogue No: 4777387
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Length: 2 hours 2 minutes

Gramophone Awards

2008

Winner - Opera
Diapason d’Or de l’Année

2008

Janáček: Výlety pana Broucka

Work length2:02:47

$22.10

$29.90

Ivan Kusnjer (tenor), Václav Sibera (baritone), Maria Haan (soprano), Charles Gibbs (baritone), Stephen Betteridge (chorus master), Lenka Smídová (contralto), Peter Straka (tenor), Jaroslav Brezina (tenor), Edward Goater (tenor), Roman Janál (bass-baritone), Jan Vacík (tenor), Zdenek Plech (bass), Christopher Bowen (tenor), Ales Briscein (tenor), Martina Bauerová (soprano)
BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Orchestra
Jiří Bělohlávek
Recorded: 2007-02-25
Recording Venue: Barbican Centre, London

Úvod

Track length3:23

$0.85

$1.15

Pak verit muzum

Track length3:20

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$1.15

Hubo nevymáchaná!

Track length4:48

$0.85

$1.15

Málinko!

Track length4:38

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$1.15

Racte nás zas brzo navstívit

Track length7:08

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Etherea! Etherea!

Track length3:06

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Des vane od tebe jak od Medúzy!

Track length5:38

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Úvod. Tuto melodii, ale do bombardonu!

Track length5:23

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Tanec. Tatrmane!

Track length5:27

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Pros veleducha

Track length5:41

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Pojd' sem!

Track length7:24

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Boure silenstvi mnou smýká!

Track length2:08

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Mezihra - Cupriny tvé stale vence

Track length6:50

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Úvod

Track length1:54

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Byly podzemní chodby

Track length5:05

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Ó, slunce velkého dne

Track length5:08

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Jsi-li dobrý, stuoj!

Track length2:33

$0.85

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Zacíná se den Páne!

Track length4:45

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Úvod - Kdybych zde nesedel

Track length5:17

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Vezmi skorne

Track length2:25

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Aj, kázání Rokyacanovo

Track length10:28

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Vzhuru! Vzhuru!

Track length5:18

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Promena. Hejsasa! Hejsasa!

Track length2:05

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Dítky, v hromadu se sendeme

Track length2:33

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Hle, tu skrcen jeden!

Track length3:58

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Sel v nasem síku - Promena - Ach! Ach! Ach!

Track length6:24

$0.85

$1.15

Reviews
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Reviews

April 2008

The instrumental playing here is magnificent and the BBC Singers negotiate their often stratospheric lines with raw passion and enviable confidence. But what makes the whole performance of this opera so overwhelming is the dramatically convincing way in which the performers interact.

21st February 2008

a major improvement on what we've had before: the strength and depth of the cast, and most of all the sound quality, and Belohlavek's feel for the tenderness, humour and romance of one of Janacek's least appreciated, yet most original dramas.

2010

Mr Broucek's excursions may have carried him to the moon and the 15th century, but it took him longer to travel beyond his native land into the opera houses and recording studios of the world. But what a lovable work it is. The first excursion in particular is packed with vivid invention; the second dips deeper into wells of Czech history. It all needs the sharp hand and light touch with the agile rhythms which Belohlávek brings to it. He is not helped by a recording that sets the singers too far back and obscures a good deal of the words, especially in the chorus, though matters improve once the moon is reached. Jan Vacík gives a lively account of poor Broucek, first stranded among the moon aesthetes and then mired in religious controversy, preserving the little man's dignity and allowing him a touching quality that sees him through it all. If he lacks the warmth and the rounded character of Vilém Pribyl, this is still a fresh and attractive portrayal.
There is, as always, much doubling in the cast.
Peter Straka is an elegant Mazal and PetSík, lightly caricaturing his own elegance to send up the posturing Azurean poet. Maria Haan is a lively Málinka, putting on airs and graces for Etherea and returning to a fresh simplicity for Peter's lover Kunka. The many other parts include sturdy contributions from Roman Janál and Zdenek Plech, though the sense of atmosphere and the depth of feeling which lies under all the satire are richer with Jílek's handling of both singers and orchestra.

April 2008

Belohlávek is at home here in a lively account of a loveable opera.

Janáček: The Excursions of Mr Broucek

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