Leoš JANÁCEK (1854-1928)
Taras Bulba
Lachian Dances • Moravian Dances
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra • Antoni Wit

Leoš Janácek was an authority on his native folk-music, and the
Lachian and Moravian Dances preserve and celebrate culture and
traditions which were vanishing even in his own lifetime. Based on
Gogol’s historical novel, Janácek’s inspired orchestral rhapsody on
Taras Bulba depicts three moving and dramatic episodes in the violent
life of the Cossack leader, climaxing in his stirring and triumphant
prophecy of liberation. This release follows Antoni Wit’s acclaimed
Warsaw recording of Janácek’s Glagolitic Mass and Sinfonietta
(8.572639).

This release follows hot on the heels of Antoni Wit’s recording of
Janácek’s Glagolitic Mass (8.572639 and Blu-ray Audio NBD0026),
which was described as “gripping from start to finish” by Gramophone
and “a major release – a mandatory purchase” in a 10/10 review from
ClassicsToday.com. With its mixture of the powerfully emotive Taras
Bulba and more pastoral Dances, and the Warsaw Philharmonic’s
proven track record in Janácek’s remarkable scores, this release will
generate its own substantial following.

Antoni Wit, one of the most highly regarded Polish conductors,
studied conducting with Henryk Czyz and composition with Krzysztof
Penderecki at the Academy of Music in Kraków, subsequently
continuing his studies with Nadia Boulanger in Paris. In 2002 he
became managing and artistic director of the Warsaw Philharmonic
Orchestra.