Leos Janácek was an authority on his native folk-music, and the Lachian and Moravian Dances preserve and celebrate culture and traditions which were vanishing even in his own lifetime. Based on Gogol’s historical novel, Janácek’s inspired orchestral rhapsody on Taras Bulba depicts three moving and dramatic episodes in the violent life of the Cossack leader, climaxing in his stirring and triumphant prophecy of liberation. This release follows Antoni Wit’s acclaimed Warsaw recording of Janácek’s Glagolitic Mass and Sinfonietta (8572639).
This release follows hot on the heels of Antoni Wit’s recording of Janácek’s Glagolitic Mass (8572639 and Blu-ray Audio NBD0026), which was described as “gripping from start to finish” by Gramophone and “a major release – a mandatory purchase” in a 10/10 review from ClassicsToday.com. With its mixture of the powerfully emotive Taras Bulba and more pastoral Dances, and the Warsaw Philharmonic’s proven track record in Janácek’s remarkable scores, this release will generate its own substantial following.

“Wit’s Taras Bulba is the best I’ve heard. It is not quite like any other recording...and the distinctiveness comes from several sources...First: the Warsaw Philharmonic. The orchestra disproves anyone’s idea that Czech orchestras ‘own’ this music…They’re a world-class orchestra at top form, but much of the credit belongs to Antoni Wit, who shapes this Taras Bulba in entirely new — and entirely logical — ways.” MusicWeb International