What is there to say? These recordings have served as reference editions in this repertoire since the day they were recorded, and so they remain. Karel Ancerl’s Taras Bulba captures the music’s drama, strength, and color as few other versions have–for a case in point, just listen to the opening of the second movement, with its rippling harp against slashing strings–and his few amendments to Janácek’s quirky orchestration (timpani at the very end, for example) are both logical and tasteful. Glorious playing by the Czech Philharmonic and excellently balanced recorded sound complete an irresistible package.
To all of these virtues, in the Glagolitic Mass add the stunning singing of the Prague Philharmonic Choir and a stellar line-up of soloists (including legendary Czech tenor Beno Blachut), and the result is a performance for the ages. Charles Mackerras and Rafael Kubelik may find more energy in the Gloria and parts of the Credo, but no one matches Ancerl’s particularly powerful mix of fervor and dignity in the vocal movements, and no one, but no one, makes a more joyously raucous, roof-raising, nose-thumbing, totally secular commotion in the closing “Intrada”.
As remastered these performances sound better than ever: they remain among the finest to come from Supraphon and fully deserve the “10” rating. Doubters should simply listen to the incomparably grand last few minutes of Taras Bulba, from the entry of the organ on through to the end. If for any reason you haven’t acquired these classic accounts of two musical masterpieces, don’t hesitate any longer. There’s so much musical wisdom, warmth, and life-affirming joy in these performances that I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if they moved you to tears. [11/16/2002]
