Janáček's music is absolutely extraordinary, inimitable: Glagolitic Mass is standing on the top not only because of we can go to the genuine roots of Slavic culture, but we can really feel the athmosphere of the transformational act of paganism and christianity, earthiness and authenticity of age long times. Genial.
As great as the music is, the text is horrific mess. It's BASED ON Old Church Slavonic, but without unaccented or nasal vowels ,- which are key in understanding the language !- and with misrememberings on Janacek's part with many words, since he often didn't have an original copy available.
In other words, it's more of a constructed language (a con-lang) than real Old Church Slavonic.
When Janacek died the Mass had been performed but not published. He had simplified the work at the first performance for two reasons, first he didn't have the full orchestra he wanted, and second the ensamble wasn't able to play or sing some of the more complex passages. When they did publish it they published the simplified version and we have been hearing it so ever since!
But the original score does exist, appearently it was a bit of a editor's nightmare (like all Janacek's works) changes, corrections, different copies authorized and non. But one Paul Wingfield took the job in hand and now we have the original version, and moreover Charles Mackerras recorded it already in 1994 and it's even more mind blowing than this version, believe it or not.
When I get a bit of time I'll see about posting it for my fellow Janacek fans (Technologically I'm no wizard)
What you ahve here is not complete, the Agnus Dei is missing. Not the best performance either. But teh CD version conducted by Michael Gielen. He's great in this sort of thing. I have many recording of the work; I fibd this most satisfying overall. (Kubelic's, from the 1960s, suffers from poor sound by modern standards).
In the Netherlands I have visited performances of Jenufa with Nadezna Kniplova, Vilem Pribyl. Many times I couldn't keep ht etes dry. Very much thanks for these videos. I look forward for next contributions.
Here is a man who didn't start composing music like this until he was 70! Such passion. Janacek's music for me is like my first kiss, my first Christmas, my carthesis. Every time I hear his music I get excited, eager, rejuvinated. His music is so powerful, I feel like he is sitting next to me, and passing energy to me.
Yes, I understand you very well and it´s power is the most important reason, why I love his music too. But many people don´t like it. I don´t understand that, but I think that people must really feel it´s energy to enjoy it, because it´s not the "beautiful" music or.. it is but in it´s inique way. I think it´s the reason why mayority of people will never like it and minorits will love it more than the others.
Janáček's music is absolutely extraordinary, inimitable: Glagolitic Mass is standing on the top not only because of we can go to the genuine roots of Slavic culture, but we can really feel the athmosphere of the transformational act of paganism and christianity, earthiness and authenticity of age long times. Genial.
aghiatrias1 2 months ago
As great as the music is, the text is horrific mess. It's BASED ON Old Church Slavonic, but without unaccented or nasal vowels ,- which are key in understanding the language !- and with misrememberings on Janacek's part with many words, since he often didn't have an original copy available.
In other words, it's more of a constructed language (a con-lang) than real Old Church Slavonic.
But the music is incredible!
SeadogDriftwood 1 year ago
It is not mass, it is an orgy!
JiriBauerHu 2 years ago
...Yes, Milan Kundera..and his essay about Janáček!! I like this book!
vassekino 1 year ago
Comment removed
JiriBauerHu 2 years ago
Who's the tenor?
RichardJonsson 3 years ago
janacek and dvorak are the best bohemian composers ever!
nineteensixty9 3 years ago
Janacek was Moravian.
modmuss 2 years ago 2
:) ...
Jafuet 2 years ago
Try the Eternal Gospel, on a text by Joachim of Fiori by Janacek
moosatious 3 years ago
Can anyone recommend more 20th century "masses" like this one?
streichorchester 3 years ago
Like this one? there is nothing like this mass, it is truly unique, but try Stravinsky's mass
CzarDodon 3 years ago
Hello!
Do You know Charles Tournemire's 6. symphonie? Very similar!
ThierryEscaich 3 years ago
Stravinsky Mass.. but you can trust me, this is may be the best 20th century choral work, it is spine-chilling.
WagnerMahler 3 years ago
When Janacek died the Mass had been performed but not published. He had simplified the work at the first performance for two reasons, first he didn't have the full orchestra he wanted, and second the ensamble wasn't able to play or sing some of the more complex passages. When they did publish it they published the simplified version and we have been hearing it so ever since!
CzarDodon 4 years ago
But the original score does exist, appearently it was a bit of a editor's nightmare (like all Janacek's works) changes, corrections, different copies authorized and non. But one Paul Wingfield took the job in hand and now we have the original version, and moreover Charles Mackerras recorded it already in 1994 and it's even more mind blowing than this version, believe it or not.
When I get a bit of time I'll see about posting it for my fellow Janacek fans (Technologically I'm no wizard)
CzarDodon 4 years ago
What you ahve here is not complete, the Agnus Dei is missing. Not the best performance either. But teh CD version conducted by Michael Gielen. He's great in this sort of thing. I have many recording of the work; I fibd this most satisfying overall. (Kubelic's, from the 1960s, suffers from poor sound by modern standards).
moosatious 4 years ago
In the Netherlands I have visited performances of Jenufa with Nadezna Kniplova, Vilem Pribyl. Many times I couldn't keep ht etes dry. Very much thanks for these videos. I look forward for next contributions.
PretPierement 4 years ago
Here is a man who didn't start composing music like this until he was 70! Such passion. Janacek's music for me is like my first kiss, my first Christmas, my carthesis. Every time I hear his music I get excited, eager, rejuvinated. His music is so powerful, I feel like he is sitting next to me, and passing energy to me.
Dorm2003 4 years ago
Yes, I understand you very well and it´s power is the most important reason, why I love his music too. But many people don´t like it. I don´t understand that, but I think that people must really feel it´s energy to enjoy it, because it´s not the "beautiful" music or.. it is but in it´s inique way. I think it´s the reason why mayority of people will never like it and minorits will love it more than the others.
Rozmbar 4 years ago