Sinfonietta V Andante con moto by Leoš Janáček

Performed by Seiji Ozawa and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. From the liner notes: Leoš Janáček was a retiring figure for whom fame and recognition came very late in life. Such claustrophobic operatic chillers as Káťa Kabanová and Jenůfa typify his tendency to dwell fascinatedly on the tragedy of the human condition, so that the life-enhancing and uncontainably exuberant Sinfonietta comes a something of a surprise.

The work began life relatively modestly as a fanfare (the opening movement) written specifically to celebrate the independence of Czechoslovakia via a 1926 gymnastics festival in Prague. Later that year Janáček added the other four movements, dedicating the entire work to "the free Czech men and women of today." The outer movements are physically uplifting in their radiant joy, whilst the second and fourth are heavily influenced by Moravian fold music with its habitual repeated notes and unpredictable, stamping rhythmic profiles. In contrast, the central Moderato is essentially lyrical in tone, something which the decidedly sinister central section does little to dispel.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Leos Janacek
• Sinfonietta
• Seiji Ozawa

[billieholidays1]

i listen to this song after reading 1Q84 by haruki murakami