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See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | The Nash Ensemble: BrundibárMusic by composers in Theresienstadt (1941–1945)
"The greatest musical experiences radically alter our perspectives. This was very much the case with The Nash Ensemble’s Theresienstadt weekend. Concerts, films, talks and exhibitions examined the extraordinary cultural flowering in the ghetto-camp near Prague, set up by the Nazis in 1941, where, among thousands of others, the Czech-Jewish intelligentsia were held before transportation to death camps. The event’s force lay in its broadening of our contextual awareness, and in its revelation of the quality of the work produced … many works were outright masterpieces … the Nash, an ensemble of stars, played with great technical power and depth of feeling … the Nash should tour this internationally—it deserves to be heard around the world. (The Guardian) The Nash Ensemble presents a programme of works written at the transit camp Theresienstadt by four Jewish composers who went on to be killed at Auschwitz, their music forgotten. In recent years it has begun to be performed again and its extraordinary quality appreciated. One of the most popular works was Hans Krása’s enchanting children’s opera Brundibár, performed fifty-five times at the camp and presented here as a suite arranged by the composer David Matthews. Viktor Ullmann, whose chamber opera The Emperor of Atlantis is now frequently performed, is represented by his String Quartet No 3, a lyrical, sumptuous work with a wistful quality, influenced by the Second Viennese School. Pavel Haas studied with Janácek and his vividly atmospheric String Quartet No 2, ‘From the Monkey Mountains’, shows the influence of his teacher, but also a definite musical personality. “It's hard to separate any of this music from the life histories of the composers. But these sharply contrasting pieces, played with typical Nash polish and intelligence, show there was no shared Theresienstadt style – just a collection of promising creative careers never allowed to reach fulfilment.” The Guardian, 24th January 2013 *** “[the sound is] slightly clinical though crystal clear. This shows the Nash Ensemble's subtly nuanced performance in the best light” Gramophone Magazine, April 2013 “Both [the Ullmann and the Klein] are powerfully emotional works and they are performed here by the Nash Ensemble with passionate conviction and great attention to detail...The Nash Ensemble clearly relishes [Brundibar's] light-heartedness and its moments of poignancy delivering a performance that is witty and thoroughly engaging...the Nash string players are especially in their element in the exciting Finale subtitled 'Wild Night'...an impressive achievement.” BBC Music Magazine, May 2013 **** | 
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| |  | The Bohemian Album
Amsterdam Sinfonietta has combined a romantic masterpiece of the string orchestra repertoire with two wild compositions from the inter-war period. Dvorák, Haas, and Schulhoff hardly make a conventional mixture, but all three of these composers had their roots in a region which was known for many centuries as “Bohemia.” One can hear this common ground in the rhythmic diversity, the influence of folk music, and the melodic inventiveness that characterizes their music. Amsterdam Sinfonietta occupies a unique position on the Dutch music scene as professional string orchestra. It is regularly invited to perform in concert halls throughout the world as one of the very few large-scale string ensembles on the international scene. What sets Amsterdam Sinfonietta apart from the ‘regular’ chamber orchestras is the top priority it gives to a ‘chamber music mentality’. Every one of its musicians assumes the responsibilities of a solo player. This approach gives a high level of involvement on the part of the musicians when they perform as an ensemble, resulting in performances of rare dynamism and intensity that involve the listener in a vibrant live music experience. Usually the ensemble plays without conductor under the direction of Candida Thompson, concertmaster since 1995, who was appointed artistic director in 2003. The Amsterdam Sinfonietta’s Walton/Beethoven disc CCSSA23005 was a Gramophone Editor’s Choice in 2005. “…entertaining enough, especially when played with the cheerful abandon it is here.” Gramophone Magazine, January 2010 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Janacek & Haas: String Quartets No. 2
“…what is immediately striking about the present performance is its boldness and originality in terms of tempo contrasts, rhythmic emphasis and textural variety. Not only the playing beyond reproach on technical grounds, but also, more importantly, it conveys with almost graphic immediacy the searing passion the 74-year-old composer felt for Kamila Stösslová. The performers demonstrate a similarly convincing capacity to bring imagery to life in the remarkable Second Quartet by the Janácek pupil Pavel Haas.” BBC Music Magazine, October 2006 ***** “The catalogue is not short of recommendable versions of Janácek's IntimateLetters Quartet. But there are any number of ways of bringing its hyper-passionate declarations off the page, and this young Czech quartet have plenty of ideas of their own about that. Once or twice that leads them into an overcalculated delivery. But try the third movement at 2'58" where, having fined the texture down to a whisper, Janácek gives the first violin an electrifying outburst: it's hard to imagine if that contrast has been made more emotionally real on record.
But then there is the 1925 Second Quartet by the composer whose name the players have adopted. This is the kind of piece that may make you wonder why you haven't heard it before.
After a first movement that tellingly redeploys a number of patent Janácekisms, Haas slips into the grotesque humour of Stravinsky's ThreePieces for String Quartet and once again fashions a structure that transcends reliance on its model.
In the finale whackiness goes a step further, with a rollicking jazz-folk fusion, brilliantly caught here together with the original drum-kit accompaniment that Haas suppressed following adverse criticism at the premiere. The PHQ's streamlined but full-blooded playing is more than welcome, and if they are lining up the first Janácek and the first and third Haas for a followup CD, bravo! Superb recording quality too.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 “Yet these young players stamp their authority on the piece with a technical precision and a searing immediacy that’s rarely if ever been equalled...You’d be disappointed if the quartet that named itself after the composer couldn’t make it a special recording, and it has. Great performances, an imaginative programme, and a superb recording as well. This couldn’t be better.” Andrew McGregor, bbc.co.uk, 18th December 2006 “…try the third movement at 2'58" where, having fined the texture down to a whisper, Janáček gives the first violin an electrifying outburst; if that contrast has been made more emotionally real on record it is certainly not so on the half-dozen LPs and CDs I picked off my shelves. I would almost be inclined to recommend the new disc for this moment alone. But there is the 1925 Second Quartet by the composer whose name the players have adopted. After a first movement that tellingly redeploys a number of patent Janáčekisms, Haas slips into the grotesque humour of Stravinsky's Three Pieces for String Quartet and once again fashions a structure that transcends reliance on its model. In the finale whackiness goes a step further, with a rollicking jazz-folk fusion... the PHQ's streamlined but full-blooded playing more than welcome...” Gramophone Magazine, November 2006  BBC Music Magazine
Chamber Choice - October 2006 |
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| |  | Janacek & Haas: String Quartets
The Petersen Quartet belongs to the internationally best known German string quartets. Here they combined in a sovereign interpretation works with biographically background from two Czech composers. | | | Usually despatched in 4 - 5 working days. |
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| |  | String Quartets for String Orchestra
| | | (also available to download from $10.50) | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. (Available now to download.) |
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Gramophone Awards 2007
Building a Library
BBC Music Magazine Awards 2007