|
Rafael Kubelik was born in near Prague in 1914, the sixth of eight children, and the son of the renowned violinist Jan Kubelik. This CD documents his debut recording with the VPO for Decca, and the two works demonstrate admirably just what made Kubelik such an electrifying interpreter. He had an intensity on the podium allied with great warmth and sensitivity. His performances are unmannered and direct. Kubelik’s greatest legacy on record includes the Mahler cycle he recorded with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra for Deutsche Grammophon, his Janácek recordings, Schoenberg’s Gurrelieder, and Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra. He lived to see the fall of Communism and a free Czechoslovakia to which he returned to perform Smetana’s Ma Vlast at the opening of the Prague Spring Festival in 1990. He died in 1996.
Previously unreleased rehearsal sequence, with the orchestra wishing Kubelik happy birthday, before launching in to the last pages of the symphony.
Kubelik’s debut VPO Decca recording.
Detailed booklet notes
Track listing:
CD 1
Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 1 In D Major 'Titan'
1. Langsam, Schleppend 12:48
2. Kräftig Bewegt 7:10
3. Feierlich Und Gemessen, Ohne Zu Schleppen 10:40
4. Stürmisch Bewegt 19:02
5. Recording Session Extract 6:59
Leoš Janácek (1854-1928)
Sinfonietta
6. I: Allegretto (Fanfare) 2:06
7. II: Andante - Allegro - Maestoso (The Castle, Brno) 5:22
8. III: Moderato Con Moto - Prestissimo - Moderato (The Queen's Monastery, Brno) 4:31
9. IV: Allegretto (The Street Leading To The Castle) 2:35
10. V: Andante Con Moto - Maestroso - Allegretto (The Town Hall, Brno) 6:17
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra,
Rafael Kubelik
|
