Janacek: In the Mists

Janácek’s works for piano written in the first decade of the twentieth century present an original language, abrupt, bald, secret and disquieting, which has no truck with ‘pianistic gestures’ - even though their creator was a pianist and organist by training.

Janacek made a very important comment about the notes on a printed page being steeped in life and blood – 'otherwise,' he said, 'they are like playthings: useless'. If only more musicians took heed of that comment in general. And if only more pianists demonstrated Janacek's wish in their performances of his music. The record catalogues are riddled with bland performances, and thankfully, Ewa Kupiec is an exception to this unfortunate rule. The sheer physical awkwardness of Janacek's writing holds no fear for her and her mastery and understanding of the Czech and Slavic musical idioms are everywhere in evidence.