Janácek: Moravian Folk Poetry in Songs [Import]

Leos Janacek (Artist), Iva Bittová (Artist), ¿kampa Quartet (Artist), Vladimír Godár (Artist), Skampa Quartet (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 1, 2005)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Supraphon
• ASIN: B00061X9YC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #366,332 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moravian songs, via Janacek, Godar, Bittova and Skampa, May 8, 2006

By 

Neil Ford (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Janácek: Moravian Folk Poetry in Songs (Audio CD)

This is a unique recording of Janacek's transcriptions of Moravian folk songs. Originally for piano and voice, they have been transcribed by Slovak composer Vladimir Godar for string quartet and (occasionally) three-voice male chorus. Here they are performed by renowned Czech singer and violinist Iva Bittova, accompanied by the Skampa Quartet and chorus. The effect is not so much of classical liede, but of authentic eastern European "popular" songs - the sonority of the string quartet adds to this in no small part. Janacek would be proud.

4.0 out of 5 stars Lifts the spirits, June 20, 2009

By 

S. C. Clarke - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Janácek: Moravian Folk Poetry in Songs (Audio CD)

At first I wondered what I was listening to, having no preconceived ideas or knowledge of this cd but thought it looked interesting - and it certainly is.

There is a wonderful simplicity and naivety within the lyrics which shares similarites with Songs from the Auvergne but focuses on apples, herbs and fish more so than shepherds and shepherd lasses. One can easily imagine the scenes portrayed and the humour and sentiments behind them.

The more I listened the more I enjoyed.

Steve, Oxford, UK

0 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Skampa Quartet is great - the singer... yikes, July 28, 2005

By 

T. Johns "terry-j" (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Janácek: Moravian Folk Poetry in Songs (Audio CD)

I honestly did not know what I was getting myself into when I bought this CD. I love Janacek, I love folk songs... how could I go wrong? Iva Bittova! I was concerned that she would have a 50yr old woobly voice, but instead what exists is a thin VERY nasal tone... perhaps she should be singing traditional Bulgarian music! The voice is expressive, just ugly.
The recording quality is not very good, either. On many of the tracks, Iva seems to be muffled and in the background of the recording.
Really - dont waste your time and money, unless you really would just like to have a recording of over 50 Janacek songs.