Janáček Piano Sonata

[arielpiano]

One of my favorite composers of late. Together with his Sinfonietta and the Cunning Little Vixen, the piano sonata is one of his most popular works. The sonata has two parts: "Presentiment" and "Death." (This is not a cheerful piece; more about it in the YT description.) A third part, Funeral March, was destroyed by the composer before the first performance. The two-part sonata was premiered in 1906 by pianist Ludmila Tučková, after which Janáček destroyed the first two parts as well. Almost 20 years later, however, Tučková produced her original copy of the first two parts, and the sonata was performed again in Janáček's lifetime and with his approval. The third part was never recovered.
Part 1:

Part 2:

[birba]

I had never heard this sonata.  Wierd.  I liked it, though.  You play with great maturity.  I see that you do jazz and improv also.  Good for you.  It's all part of the same thing, isn't it?

[starstruck5]

   One of my favourite sonatas. You play it astonishingly well. Really pleased you posted this!

[chuck75]

Exceptionally well done. Thanks so much for sharing.

[arielpiano]

Thanks for all the interest. I am really happy that Janáček resonates with you. I think the only reason Janáček’s influence on 20th century music is so negligible is that many of his students were killed in WWII, and those who survived did not imitate his style of composition. One of his students, BTW, was Ludvik Kundera, Milan Kundera’s father, a pianist and musicologist. MK himself is quite a musician (pianist, composer, musicologist), and wrote much about Janáček, with great insight into his music. If you want to hear some truly wonderful Janáček I recommend the Glagolitic Mass and Jenufa. (Also, I recently posted a short blog about Janáček at www.arielpiano.com/blog.)

[rachfan]

Hi Ariel,

I had not heard this Janacek sonata previously, but I liked it--dark, ruminating, pondering, searching and declamatory too.  The harmonies are distinctive.  Very fine playing!

It's good to see you taking a lesser traveled path with Janacek.  Often the works of little known composers can yield surprising gems.

Thanks for posting your recording!  

David

[pianoplayjl]

I've heard of this sonata and I've always wanted to hear what it sounded like, because my friend attended a recital by Jonathan Bliss. If my memory serves, I just want to add a little piece of information. This sonata was dedicated to a worker bayoneted to death for protesting, which Janacek saw. Of course you must have heard this info. I just want to say how grateful I am for you posting this recording so I can hear it. Such a mysterious piece indeed.

JL

[arielpiano]

David, I think Janáček is beginning to get some attention. Unfortunately, he has very few works for piano. His best known music is chamber and vocal. JL, I didn’t realize Jonathan Biss played this sonata. He’s a fantastic pianist and teacher (I played Mozart’s K330 in a master class for him some two years ago:

). He also writes extremely well and has a great blog at https://www.jonathanbiss.com/writings/.

[costicina]

I discovered this Sonata thanks to you... Needles to say, you play it beautifully.
Than you very much for sharing

Margherita

[rachfan]

Hi ariel,

Thanks for those links to the Bliss master class.  It was very interesting.

David

[destini]

Nice rendition of a piece and it was nice to learn its background from description as well. (I'd like to hear that third part, sad it haven't survived... )

[emill]

Hi Ariel,

I long had a cd of the Glagolitic Mass and honestly I did not like it much ... perhaps I am too shallow for it.  Your playing however seems to convey the darkness and perhaps the aimlessness of the second movement.  Personally I feel you are such a mature young pianist who could handle the challenge of this piece very well.

emill

[arielpiano]

Thanks for the kind words, Emill.
Regarding the Glagolitic Mass, I think it just needs more than one chance. Like Cage said (I think he said it...), if you don't like something listen to it four more times, and four more times...
Ariel