Ma Vlast Archive

SMETANA: Ma Vlast – Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/ Jiri Belohlavek – Decca

SMETANA: Ma Vlast – Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/ Jiri Belohlavek – Decca

Smetana’s epic, national symphonic cycle has a glowing document from the late Jiri Belohlavek and his Czech Philharmonic. SMETANA: Ma Vlast – Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/ Jiri Belohlavek – Decca 483 3187, 76:52 (1/12/18) [Distr. by Universal] ***** Recorded 12-14 May 2014 at Smetana Hall, Prague, this reading of the esteemed 1874 symphonic cycle Ma Vlast celebrates the late Jiri Belohlavek (1946-2017), who twice held the position as Chief Conductor of the Czech Philharmonic.  Belohlavek extends the epic tradition of performance that embraces Karel Ancerl, Vaclav Neumann, and Vaclav Talich, each of whom glorified the set of six pieces with a sense of grandeur and historical pathos. The harp solo intones the bardic voice of Lumir, who sings in the opening portrait of the fortress Vysehrad of triumphal pageants and bitter struggles that have passed through the nation. The rising and falling motif bears a kind of foster-child association with Beethoven’s C Minor Symphony. With the introduction of pomp and ceremony, the strings, winds, brass, and tympani combine in solemn procession that can become quite manic in its bucolic and social panorama. The aural imaging of this magnificent tone-picture owes its potent definition to Recording Engineers Vaclav Roubal and Karel Soukenik. […]

SMETANA: Ma Vlast – Evelinde Trenker and Sontraud Speidel, pianos – MD&G Gold

SMETANA: Ma Vlast – Evelinde Trenker and Sontraud Speidel, pianos – MD&G Gold

SMETANA: Ma Vlast – Evelinde Trenker and Sontraud Speidel, pianos – MD&G Gold Records MD&G 930 1960-6 multi-channel SACD with additional 2+2+2 80:00 (8/5/16) [Distr. by eOne] ****: A unique transcription of the Smetana classic arranged for two pianos. Smetana’s Ma Vlast is a standard part of the concert repertoire. It was the composer’s manifesto of national destiny for Czech listeners and it went on to worldwide acclaim. Smetana debuted the piece in 1882, and by that time the composer was almost completely deaf. In structure, it is similar to Lizst’s symphonic poems. Heard with a full orchestra it’s a thrilling piece. Here we get something a little different, with a performance for duo pianos by Eveline Trencher and Sontraud Speidel. The two virtuosi have toured the world in concert, playing acclaimed transcriptions of Mahler and Bruckner at Lincoln Center and at various venues and festivals around Europe. I can’t say I prefer the Smetana for two pianos, but it is a captivating listen. The use of two pianos provides a tonal depth that one piano would not, and the pianists preserve the emotion and lush dynamics of the piece. It’s a surprisingly good listen. The 5.1 channel SACD is […]