Eternal Youth
Kate Molleson explores the maverick spirit, fierce passions and phenomenal twilight years of Leo拧 Jan谩膷ek. Today, a big birthday, foreign adventures and a nostalgic moment or two.
Kate Molleson follows Janacek鈥檚 eventful 70th birthday year.
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 turns 70, with fuss, festivities and adventures abroad (whereas his 60th had been virtually ignored). He claims to feel as young as ever, but in his music, he can鈥檛 help being nostalgic.
March of the Blue Birds
Michael Hasel, flute
Hendrik Heilmann, piano
艠铆kadla - Nursery Rhymes (excerpt)
Cappella Amsterdam
Radio Blazers Ensemble
Daniel Reuss, conductor
Lachian Dances (3. Bellows Dance. 4. Ancient II, 5. Celadna Dance, 6. The Saws)
Filarmonie Brno
Ji艡铆 B臎lohl谩vek, conductor
惭濒谩诲铆
Orsino Ensemble
Peter Sparks, clarinet
On the Overgrown Path (No 9 鈥� In Tears)
Thomas Ad猫s, piano
Poh谩dka 鈥� Fairytale
Laura van der Heijden, cello
J芒ms Coleman, piano
Produced by Amelia Parker for 蜜芽传媒 Audio Wales and West
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- Wed 21 May 2025 16:00蜜芽传媒 Radio 3
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