José Serebrier - Janáček: Orchestral Works (2001)

“Let’s cut to the chase — this is a marvellous collection of Janacek’s major orchestral works, made even more appealing in this generous repackaging. Jose Serebrier is not a conductor one normally associates with Janacek, but these superbly characterised performances should help change that. The Czech State Philharmoinc, Brno play as to the manner born, their pleasingly pungent tone quality ideally suited to this music. . . The climaxes are awesomely expansive. Strongly recommended” —Andrew Farach-Colton, GRAMOPHONE

“Serebrier’s synthesis (of THE MAKROPULOS CASE) positively seethes with interest for the ear” —Rob Barnett, MusicWeb International

“The unique power of Janacek’s scoring comes through wonderfully well. This is an important addition to the Janacek discography” —Bauman, AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE

“Brno’s Stadion Hall provides the ideal venue for this magnificently recorded disc. Yet again, RR’s Keith Johnson stakes his claim as one of the best engineers in the business, providing sound quality so natural, so right, so effortless that it is easy to forget we are listening to a recording” —Terry Williams, CLASSIC CD

“Its sonic quality is most impressive in stereo spread, depth, presence, and resolution of detail, with rock-solid image stability, in a spacious ambiance — a demonstration-quality recording if there ever was one” —McKelvey, AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE

“The performance of the Sinfonietta and Taras Bulba are both first rate and the Lachian Dances remain the best available. Even more interesting, though, is the second disc, which contains Serebrier’s own excellent assembled and marvelously conducted suite from Janacek’s ”sci-fi” opera The Makropulos Case. Sonically these discs remain state-of-the-art, so if you missed either of these discs the first time around, now’s your chance to catch up on some splendid Janacek at a very reasonable price” —David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com

“Those who have cherished benchmark Janacek recordings by the likes of Rudolf Firkusny and Sir Charles Mackerras would do themselves a favor by searching out this economical collection. The inevitable repeat listenings to The Makropulous Case synthesis and the sublime Cunning Little Vixen suite alone will make the modest cost worthwhile” —Bradley Bambarger, Andante