Mariss Jansons Conducts Brahms & Janacek (Blu Ray) [Blu-ray]

An unusual coupling perfomed with considerable quality
This unusual coupling was recorded at Lucerne in 2012 and received appreciative audience applause for both items. The recording itself is wide ranging as befits the Janacek especially and is presented in DTS 5.1 as well as stereo. The sound is also clearly defined and has good stage presence. The camera work is crisp and detailed without becoming either invasive or hyper-active. The sleeve notes supplied with this disc are particularly informative and helpful.

The Brahms symphony is given a warmly affectionate performance founded on secure bass lines above which the orchestral textures are able to expand convincingly. Jansons keeps the pace on the move without actually becoming dramatically driven. There is a slight tendency to ease back at climatic moments in order to maximise the tonal effects but this is inevitably at the expense of some dramatic impact. This explains why the description of 'warmly affectionate' is more appropriate to this performance than dramatically...

Interesting programming
One would not usually expect Brahms to be on the same disc as Janacek, but it actually works. The Brahms is thoughtful and enjoyable, although a bit theatrical as mentioned in the prior review - nonetheless authentic and weighty. I enjoyed it even though Jansons has a tendency to approach the piece more "romantically" than usual for Brahms.

The revelatory piece for me was the Glagolitic Mass by Leos Janacek. The overall sound was terrific with excellent balance between the orchestra, chorus and soloists, who were all excellent. I was not familiar with the Glagolitic Mass but found myself riveted and totally engaged. This is a major piece that somehow previously escaped my attention. What an amazing piece. And Jansons happily did not approach it as "romantically" as the Brahms symphony. This was a no nonsense realization that allowed Janacek's incredible writing to speak for itself. The Russian quartet (Tatiana Monogarova, Soprano; Marina Prudenskaja, Mezzo-Soprano;...

Just a little TOO relaxed, in my opinion...
I had to admit, I purchased this DVD because of Janacek's Glagolitic Mass. At this point, it's basically an uncontrollable compulsion, any new version that comes out, I snap up immediately without any hesitation. It's my favorite "discovery" in the past few years (along with Franz Schmidt's "das buch mit sieben siegeln"), and to be perfectly honest, it is tied for my favorite choral/orchestral composition along with Beethoven's Missa Solemnis. Over and over and over and over, I listen to it, all 15 performances I have on CDs & DVDs, because to me it's endlessly rewarding and enormously powerful... And, I also happen to have quite a bit of love for Mariss Jansons and the Lucerne Festival...

The programme starts with Brahms' Second Symphony, which is given a wonderful and truly serene performance, with much attention paid spent on detail and phrasing, but it is all rather natural and without any irritating mannerisms, though it isn't necessarily a barn-stormer by any means...

Click to Editorial Reviews