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Leos Janacek: On An Overgrown Path

Camerata Zürich (chamberorchestra), Igor Karsko, Maia Brami (speaker)

Under Igor Karsko’s committed direction, the playing of Camerata Zürich is superb and very well recorded, and there is a clear feeling throughout for the rich sentiment underlying these memories...

Leos Janacek: On An Overgrown Path

Camerata Zürich (chamberorchestra), Igor Karsko, Maia Brami (speaker)

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Under Igor Karsko’s committed direction, the playing of Camerata Zürich is superb and very well recorded, and there is a clear feeling throughout for the rich sentiment underlying these memories...

About

'On An Overgrown Path', Leos Janaceks 15 pieces-spanning piano cycle, is here presented in a reshaped guise, arranged for string orchestra and interpreted by the Camerata Zurich under lead violinist Igor Karskos direction. This is the premiere recording of the orchestral adaption.

In this programme, Janaceks cycle is bookended by Josef Suks Meditation on the Old Czech Chorale St. Wenceslas and Antonn Dvoraks Notturno pieces that are thematically connected to the folkloric elements found in Janaceks composition.

French writer Maja Brami wrote poems to accompany the new arrangement of On An Overgrown Path, and their recorded versions, spoken by the writer herself, are included on the album, contextualizing the cycle with inventive analogies to Janaceks life.

Much of the cycle 'On An Overgrown Path' previously captured in its original design on the ECM New Series release 'A Recollection' by Andras Schiff had originally been conceived for harmonium, a popular domestic instrument in Janaceks days, and was only later rearranged for piano, the instrument the remaining pieces were written for.

Ultimately divided into two volumes referred to as books, the first, comprising ten pieces, was published in 1911, and the second posthumously in 1942.

Moving seamlessly between subtle harmonic shifts, generous folkloric gestures and more sombre scenes from Janaceks past, the cycles nuances are respectfully translated to strings on the recording, and the alternatingly light and dark themes that flare up across the 15 pieces turn into a compelling chiaroscuro.

Contents and tracklist

I. Our Evenings. Naše večery
Track length2:38
II. A Blown-Away Leaf. Lístek odvanutý
Track length2:15
III. Come with Us!. Pojďte namí!
Track length1:00
IV. The Frýdek Madonna. Frýdecká Panna Maria
Track length3:07
V. They Chattered Like Swallows. Štěbetaly jak laštovičky
Track length1:36
VI. Words Fail!. Nelze domluvit!
Track length1:42
VII. Good Night!. Dobrou noc!
Track length3:00
VIII. Unutterable Anguish. Tak neskonale úzko
Track length3:08
IX. In Tears. V pláči
Track length2:27
X. The Barn Owl Has Not Flown Away!. Sýček neodletěl!
Track length3:20
XI. Andante
Track length2:47
XII. Allegretto
Track length3:27
XIII. Più mosso
Track length2:54
XIV. Vivo
Track length2:39
XV. Allegro – Adagio
Track length4:27

Spotlight on this release

Awards and reviews

January 2022

Under Igor Karsko’s committed direction, the playing of Camerata Zürich is superb and very well recorded, and there is a clear feeling throughout for the rich sentiment underlying these memories of youth.

February 2022

Rumler’s arrangements are imaginative without being obtrusive, and filled with telling details of colour and texture...If you love this repertoire, it’s well worth a listen.
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