Leos Janacek (1854-1928)

Composer of the Week

Kate Molleson explores the maverick spirit, fierce passions and phenomenal twilight years of Leoš Janáček

Leoš Janáček was a true Czech original. He heard music in the way people talk on the streets, loved the local and made it universal - pouring his “speech melodies” into pioneering, devastating operas, and writing some of the most intimate confessionals in instrumental music. His life also came with a major plot twist – after years of toiling away unappreciated, he suddenly found fame in his 60s. Instead of winding down, Janáček revved up. This week, Kate Molleson explores his maverick spirit, his fierce passions, and the phenomenal flood of inspiration of his twilight years.

Music Featured:

Sinfonietta (Fanfare) The Wild Duck In the Mists (2nd mvt, Molto adagio) The Fiddler’s Child Songs of Hradčany (The Weeping Fountain) Jenůfa, Act II (Jenůfa’s Prayer) Moravian Folk Poetry in Song, JW V/2 (No 2, Constancy) On the Overgrown Path (Our Evenings; A Blown Away Leaf) Diary of One Who Disappeared (Nos 19-22) Katya Kabanova: Act II Scene 2 "Jste to vy, Katěrino Petrovno?"…."Choď si, dívka, do času" The Cunning Little Vixen Act II “Fox Goldenstripe…..That’s how it is!” Quartet No 1 ‘Kreutzer Sonata’ (1st & 2nd mvts) March of the Blue Birds Říkadla - Nursery Rhymes (excerpt) Lachian Dances (Nos 3-6) Mládí On the Overgrown Path (No 9, In Tears) Pohádka – Fairytale Glagolitic Mass (Intrada) The Excursions of Mr Broucek Suite (The Moon Waltz) 1905 Sonata Capriccio (2nd & 3rd mvt) Glagolitic Mass (excerpt) Moravian Love Songs (No 10 ‘Love’) Intimate Sketches (Waiting for You!) From the House of the Dead Suite (3rd mvt, Holiday is Coming) Quartet No 2 ‘Intimate Letters’ On the Overgrown Path (No 7, Good Night)

Presented by Kate Molleson Produced by Amelia Parker for BBC Audio Wales & West

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Leos Janacek (1854-1928) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002c0h9

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z