Janacek: Reminiscence, JW 8/32 (Vzpomínka)

Janacek left only a few piano masterpieces, their language forming a sort of dreamlike counterpoint to his fantastic operatic repertoire. Slavka Pechocova’s playing reflects the rigour of her first teacher, Martin Hrsel, and the almost-Impressionistic expressiveness of her second, Professor Ivan Moravec, in a new, highly spirited, recording of Janacek’s Piano pieces which should be acclaimed as one of the most promising of the year so far. She made her Proms debut at the Proms last year with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Jirí Belohlávek in Martinu’s Concerto for 2 Pianos.

Janacek made a very important comment about the notes on a printed page being steeped in life and blood – 'otherwise,' he said, 'they are like playthings: useless'. If only more musicians took heed of that comment in general. And if only more pianists demonstrated Janacek's wish in their performances of his music. The record catalogues are riddled with bland performances, and thankfully, Ewa Kupiec is an exception to this unfortunate rule. The sheer physical awkwardness of Janacek's writing holds no fear for her and her mastery and understanding of the Czech and Slavic musical idioms are everywhere in evidence.