JANACEK: The Excursions of Mr. Broucek - Bohumír Vich, Prague National Theater, Vaclav Neumann (2 CDs)

The unusual subject matter and original structure of Leoš Janáček's only comic opera The Excursions of Mr. Brouček are remarkable additions to the composer's long list of pioneering moments. The score simmers not only with the creativity of his musical ideas, but with reminiscence and anticipation as well. Both excursions of the Prague landlord Matěj Brouček hold up a period mirror to the ignoble side of human nature and behavior. Though the first Czech recording was made in an era which demanded certain changes in the libretto and some condensing, the work as a whole did not suffer. Janáček's sophisticated humor is applied with a gentle touch, his satire is tempered with compassion, and his irony encourages self-reflection. The tone of the work is surprisingly close to the tolerant modern view of Mr. Brouček's character, of artists isolated from the normal world and our conception of the moral strength of our forefathers. The opera was intended for Prague and also received its premiere there at the National Theater on March 23, 1920 in a production by Otakar Ostrčil. Part of Supraphon's Czech Opera Treasures series, this CD presents a never before released 1963 recording by conductor Václav Neumann with Bohumír Vich in the title role.

Disk 1
Leoš Janáček
The Excursions of Mr. Brouček to the Moon and into the 15th Century. Opera in 2 Parts
1. The Excursion of Mr. Brouček to the Moon Act 1 Introduction 03:20
2. The Excursion of Mr. Brouček to the Moon Act 1 "Can one believe men" 05:25
3. The Excursion of Mr. Brouček to the Moon Act 1 "Love, yes, love's charming flower" 02:18
4. The Excursion of Mr. Brouček to the Moon Act 1 "Málinka! I've a diamond" 05:43
5. The Excursion of Mr. Brouček to the Moon Act 1 "Ha! Ha! What monster does frigtten my astonished eye!" 04:21
6. The Excursion of Mr. Brouček to the Moon Act 1 "You have never yet known love" 05:13
7. The Excursion of Mr. Brouček to the Moon Act 1 "Fright now spreads from you just like from Medusa!" 05:28
8. The Excursion of Mr. Brouček to the Moon Act 2 Introduction. "This meloda, yes indeed, but on the bombardon!" 05:22
9. The Excursion of Mr. Brouček to the Moon Act 2 Dance. "You clown, you! - You, Titan of songs!" 03:07
10. The Excursions of Mr. Brouček to the Moon Act 2 "O sweet creature, you!" 07:37
11. The Excursions of Mr. Brouček to the Moon Act 2 "Come here!" 05:44
12. The Excursion of Mr. Brouček to the Moon Act 2 "You're dearer to me" 03:03
13. The Excursion of Mr. Brouček to the Moon Act 2 Interlude 02:59
14. The Excursions of Mr. Brouček to the Moon Act 2 "With lasting laurels I adorn your curls" 03:41

Disk 2
Leoš Janáček
The Excursions of Mr. Brouček to the Moon and into the 15th Century. Opera in 2 Parts
1. The Excursions of Mr. Brouček into the 15th Century. Act 1 Introduction "There were deep undergreound passages" 03:08
2. The Excursions of Mr. Brouček into the 15th Century "Help! Help!" 04:07
3. The Excursions of Mr. Brouček into the 15th Century. Act 1 "O, you Sun of that great day" 04:10
4. The Excursions of Mr. Brouček into the 15th Century. Act 1 "We must remember well this newly found short-cut!" 06:26
5. The Excursions of Mr. Brouček into the 15th Century. Act 1 "Hear ye, knights of God" ... "The Day of the Lord begins!" 02:36
6. The Excursions of Mr. Brouček into the 15th Century. Act 2 Introduction. "If I weren't sitting here" 05:44
7. The Excursions of Mr. Brouček into the 15th Century. Act 2 "Here they come from church service" 04:08
8. The Excursions of Mr. Brouček to the Moon into the 15th Century "Alas, the name of Czechs has been dragged" 04:42
9. The Excursions of Mr. Brouček into the 15th Century. Act 2 "Hurrah, Tábor!" 03:32
10. The Excursions of Mr. Brouček into the 15th Century. Act 2 Change of Scene. "Hejsasa! Hejsasa!" 03:59
11. The Excursions of Mr. Brouček into the 15th Century. Act 2 "Look, one is crouching here!" 04:13
12. The Excursions of Mr. Brouček into the 15th Century. Act 2 "He too went with us" 02:25
13. The Excursions of Mr. Brouček into the 15th Century. Act 2 Change of Scene. "Ah! Ah! Ah!" 03:27