Leoš Janáček (1854-1928)
Leoš Janáček is regarded as the greatest Czech composer of the early twentieth century. In his early works he followed a traditional, Romantic idiom, typical of late nineteenth century music. Having completed his opera Sárka, however, Janáček immersed himself in the folk music of his native Moravia, gradually developing an original compositional style. Eschewing regular metrical phrasing, Janáček developed a declamatory method of setting the voice that follows the natural rhythmic patterns of the Czech language. Characteristically, he allowed these patterns to inform the music itself. In addition, Janáček's harmonies, forms and orchestration are highly idiosyncratic. His music favors repetitive patterns, often set in stark contrast to longer, more lyrical, lines, or large blocks of sound. Dramatic effects are attained with minimal thematic or contrapuntal elaboration. The result is music of great rhythmic drive, sharp contrasts, and an intricate, montage-like texture. Exemplifying Janáček's radical stylistic transformation is his tragic opera Jenufa (1904), based on a story of jealousy, murder, and innocence.- Zoran
Minderovic, allmusic
COMPOSITIONS Janáček Links ~ ~ ~ Works by Genre
Suite for String Orchestra (1877)
Idyll, string orchestra (1878)
Dumka, violin and piano (1880)
Theme and Variations, piano (1880)
Sarka, opera (1887, revised 1888, 1918, 1924-5)
6 Lachian Dances, orchestra (1889-90)
Moravian Dances, orchestra (1888-91)
Suite, orchestra (1891)
The Beginning of a Romance, opera (1891)
Jealousy, symphonic poem for orchestra (1894)
The Lord’s Prayer (Our Father), tenor, chorus, harp and organ (1901, revised 1906)
Jenufa, opera (1894-1903)
3 Moravian Dances, piano (1892/1904)
Osud (Fate), opera (1903-4, rev. 1906, 1907)
1. X. 1905 (Piano Sonata), "From the street", piano (1905)
On an Overgrown Path, piano (1901-08)
Piano Trio (1908-09) - lost
Fairytale, cello and piano (1910)
In the Mist, piano (1912)
The Eternal Gospel, soprano, tenor, chorus and orchestra (1914)
Taras Bulba, orchestra (1915, 1918)
The Excursions of Mr. Broucek, opera (1908-1917)
Diary of One Who Vanished, voice and piano (1917-19, revised 1920)
Ballad of Blanik, orchestra (1919)
Violin Sonata (1914-20)
Katya Kabanova, opera (1919-21)
The Cunning Little Vixen, opera (1921-3)
String Quartet No. 1, "Kreutzer Sonata" (1923)
Mladi (Youth), wind sextet (1924)
The Makropulos Affair, opera (1923-25)
Danube Symphony (1923/5) - unfinished
Concertino, piano and chamber ensemble (1925)
Capriccio, piano left hand and chamber ensemble (1926)
Sinfonietta, orchestra (1926)
Nursery Rhyme, 9 voices and chamber ensemble (1925-27)
Glagolitic (Slavonic) Mass, soloists, mixed chorus, organ and orchestra (1926-1927)
From the House of the Dead, opera (1927-8)
Memory, piano (1928)
String Quartet No. 2, "Intimate Letters" (1928)
WORKS BY GENRE Janáček Links ~ top of page ~
Dramatic/Theater
Sarka, opera (1887, revised 1888, 1918, 1924-5)
The Beginning of a Romance, opera (1891)
Jenufa, opera (1894-1903)
Osud (Fate), opera (1903-4, rev. 1906, 1907)
The Excursions of Mr. Broucek, opera (1908-1917)
Katya Kabanova, opera (1919-21)
The Cunning Little Vixen, opera (1921-3)
The Makropulos Affair, opera (1923-25)
From the House of the Dead, opera (1927-8)
Orchestra
Suite for String Orchestra (1877)
Idyll, string orchestra (1878)
6 Lachian Dances, orchestra (1889-90)
Moravian Dances, orchestra (1888-91)
Suite, orchestra (1891)
Jealousy, symphonic poem for orchestra (1894)
Taras Bulba, orchestra (1915, 1918)
Ballad of Blanik, orchestra (1919)
Danube Symphony (1923/5) - unfinished
Sinfonietta, orchestra (1926)
Soloist(s) w/Orchestra
Concertino, piano and chamber ensemble (1925)
Capriccio, piano left hand and chamber ensemble (1926)
Chorus w/Orchestra
The Lord’s Prayer (Our Father), tenor, chorus, harp and organ (1901, revised 1906)
The Eternal Gospel, soprano, tenor, chorus and orchestra (1914)
Glagolitic (Slavonic) Mass, soloists, mixed chorus, organ and orchestra (1926-1927)
Chamber
Piano Trio (1908-09) - lost
String Quartet No. 1, "Kreutzer Sonata" (1923)
Mladi (Youth), wind sextet (1924)
String Quartet No. 2, "Intimate Letters" (1928)
Solo Instrument
Dumka, violin and piano (1880)
Fairytale, cello and piano (1910)
Violin Sonata (1914-20)
Piano
Theme and Variations, piano (1880)
3 Moravian Dances, piano (1892/1904)
1. X. 1905 (Piano Sonata), "From the street", piano (1905)
On an Overgrown Path, piano (1901-08)
In the Mist, piano (1912)
Memory, piano (1928)
Vocal
The Lord’s Prayer (Our Father), tenor, chorus, harp and organ (1901, revised 1906)
Diary of One Who Vanished, voice and piano (1917-19, revised 1920)
Nursery Rhyme, 9 voices and chamber ensemble (1925-27)
JANACEK LINKS Works by Genre ~ top of page ~
Janáček Archive and Museum, Brno, Czech Republic
Leoš Janáček Society
Leoš Janáček Forum
Books
Janácek's Works @ books.google.com
Leoš Janáček: His Life And Works (Jaroslav Vogel, Internet Archive)
Leoš Janáček Website (created by Gavin Plumley)
Janáček @ Wikipedia
Janáček @ All About Opera.com
Janáček @ Answers.com
Janáček @ Barenreiter
Janáček @ Classic Cat
Janáček @ Classical Composers Database
Janáček @ Classical Music Pages
Janáček @ Classical Net
Janáček @ Dr. Estrella's Incredibly Abridged Dictionary of Composers
Janáček @ GMN Classical Plus
Janáček @ Karadar Classical Music
Janáček @ MusicWeb International
Janáček @ NationMaster
Janáček @ The New York Times
Janáček @ Piano Society
Janáček @ Universal Edition
Streaming Audio
Janáček @ Classical Masterpieces
Janáček @ GMN Classical Plus
Janáček @ last.fm - here and here
Janáček @ Kunst der Fuge
Janáček @ MidiWorld
Janáček @ NPRmusic - Music and Jenufa
Janáček @ Piano Society
Janáček @ Rhapsody
Recordings
Janáček @ ArkivMusic
Janáček @ ClassicsOnline
Janáček @ YouTube
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