Zdenek Kosler Conducts

Very enjoyable programme of some of my favourite pieces and three I'm not familiar with - the Borkovec, Honneger and Milhaud. There is a real sense of love and devotion to the music throughout and a clear enjoyment and brio by the three orchestras featured conducted by Kosler, who maintains a rhythmic vitality and creates a wonderful storytelling idiom - particularly in Petrushka and the Scythian Suite. This approach results in Janacek's Sinfionetta receiving a more romantic rather than classical reading and being played at faster tempi than I'm used to hearing for this piece, but it does accentuate the dance-like aspects which is quite appealing. The Honneger piano concertino is a revelation, increasing my growing interest in his music. Not having heard it performed by anyone else I can't make a comparison - all I can say is that I found it invigorating, with a real dramatic presence and an authentically original compositional style. Never previously having too much regard for Smetana's Bartered Bride Overture, this version is played with an exhilarating rhythmic spring which makes it the best version I've heard. The Milhaud receives an entirely appropriate 'bitter-sweet' interpretation which brings out his signature combination of melancholy and exuberance. (Excellent performances of his symphonies 1,2 and 6,7 available on DG by Plasson/Toulouse Orchestra). Martinu is one of my favourite composers and his Parables 1&2 receive, as you might expect from a Czech conductor and orchestra, a moving and persuasive performance. The Borkovec piece is in my view the slightest of all, but enjoyable nonetheless. Sound quality throughout the two discs is very good, with good dynamics, power and presence and although the recordings range from 1970 to 1979, they're only a shade off modern recording quality. I can't think of a single reason to dock a star from what is a marvellous Praga Digitals release. Highly recommended.

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