Janácek didn't have his head quite right, shortly before his Glagolitic Mass sounded for the first time in 1927. Just at that time he had his hands full with his last opera From The Death House. As a result, the complex Glagolitic Mass was adapted without his knowledge. The changes were even made in the posthumous sheet music edition of 1929. This modified version did not hinder the work's popularity.
Yet it was not until 1994 that conductor Mackerras released the more adventurous primal version. This CD also departs from that primal version. We also hear the beautiful Sinfonietta from 1926, with its celebratory brass signals. (HJ)more
