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Kate Molleson explores the maverick spirit, fierce passions and phenomenal twilight years of Leo拧 Jan谩膷ek. Today, an encounter which upturned Jan谩膷ek's life and music.

Kate Molleson tells the story of the encounter which upturned Jan谩膷ek鈥檚 life and music.

Leo拧 Jan谩膷ek was a true Czech original. He heard music in the way people talk on the streets, loved the local and made it universal - pouring his 鈥渟peech melodies鈥 into pioneering, devastating operas, and writing some of the most intimate confessionals in instrumental music. His life also came with a major plot twist 鈥 after years of toiling away unappreciated, he suddenly found fame in his 60s. Instead of winding down, Jan谩膷ek revved up. All this week, Kate Molleson explores his maverick spirit, his fierce passions, and the phenomenal flood of inspiration of his twilight years.

Today, Jan谩膷ek comes full circle, buying a cottage in his Moravian birthplace and reconnecting with his rural roots. And he meets Kamila St枚sslov谩, the woman who would suddenly become the intense obsession and creative catalyst of these final years.

Moravian Folk Poetry in Song, JW V/2 (No 2 - Constancy)
Iva Bittov谩, vocals
Pavel Fischer, vocals
艩kampa Quartet

On the Overgrown Path (i. Our Evenings, ii. A Blown Away Leaf)
Stephen Hough, piano

Diary of One Who Disappeared (Nos 19-22)
Ian Bostridge, tenor
Thomas Ad猫s, piano

Katya Kabanova: Act II Scene 2: " "Jste to vy, Kat臎rino Petrovno?"鈥."Cho膹 si, d铆vka, do 膷asu"
Amanda Majeski (Katya)
Simon O鈥橬eill (Boris)
Magdalena Ko啪en谩 (Varvara)
Ladislav Elgr (Kudrjas)
London Symphony Orchestra
Simon Rattle, conductor

The Cunning Little Vixen Act II: 鈥淔ox Goldenstripe鈥..That鈥檚 how it is!鈥
Lilian Watson (Vixen Sharp Ears)
Diana Montague (Fox Goldenstripe)
Gillian Knight (Owl)
Mary King (Jay)
Pat Purcell (Woodpecker)
Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Simon Rattle, conductor

Quartet No 1 鈥楰reutzer Sonata鈥 (1st and 2nd movements)
Belcea Quartet

Produced by Amelia Parker for 麻豆社 Audio Wales and West

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Leos Jan谩膷ek

    Moravian Folk Poetry in Song (No 2, Constancy)

    Performer: Iva Bittov谩. Performer: Pavel Fischer. Ensemble: Skampa String Quartet.
    • SUPRAPHON : SU-3794 2.
    • SUPRAPHON.
    • 2.
  • Leos Jan谩膷ek

    On an Overgrown Path (Our Evenings; A Blown Away Leaf)

    Performer: Sir Stephen Hough.
    • Hyperion: CDA67895.
    • Hyperion.
    • 2.
  • Leos Jan谩膷ek

    The Diary of One Who Disappeared

    Performer: Thomas Ad猫s. Singer: Ian Bostridge.
    • EMI CLASSICS : 7243-5 57219.
    • EMI CLASSICS.
    • 19.
  • Leos Jan谩膷ek

    Katya Kabanova, Act 2, Scene 2 (excerpt)

    Singer: Amanda Majeski. Singer: Simon O鈥橬eill. Singer: Magdalena Ko啪en谩. Singer: Ladislav Elgr. Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle.
    • Katya Kabanova.
    • LSO LIVE.
    • 7.
  • Leos Jan谩膷ek

    The Cunning Little Vixen, Act 2 (excerpt)

    Singer: Lillian Watson. Singer: Diana Montague. Choir: Royal Opera House Chorus. Orchestra: Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle.
    • CHANDOS : CHAN-3101.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 29.
  • Leos Jan谩膷ek

    String Quartet No 1 "The Kreutzer Sonata" (1st & 2nd mvts)

    Ensemble: Belcea Quartet.
    • Belcea Quartet.
    • ALPHA.
    • 1.

Broadcast

  • Tue 20 May 2025 16:00

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