Janácek: Jenufa

The Mackerras recordings of Janacek operas from Decca are all fabulous. Soderstrom in her three roles will make you weep. This recording has nothing like the VPO on top form or gleaming Decca sound but it seems to present a truth that Mackerras doesn't quite reach. Krasova as the Kostelnicka is probably the most important element in this. The two men, Ivo Zidek and Beno Blachut are on top form and for those who have only heard Blachut as an old man in Makropoulos (Decca) this recording is a revelation. Jelinkova as Jenufa has a less attractive voice than Soderstrom to this western european ear but is still very memorable. Vogel the conductor must have known Janacek personally as he was active as a conductor in Prague in the 1920's and this recording somehow supports that. This may not be the recording to start Jenufa with but it is probably the recording you will end up with.

Forget Mackerras in Janacek operas and go for the Czech versions as performed in Prague. They know how to sing and play their own music. This is a good alternative to the excellent Jilek verion with Benackova. Excellent singing and plenty of forward momentum.