Antonín Dvořák - Early Songs (Martina Janková; Barbara Maria Willi)

Information

Composer: Antonín Dvořák

• Písně na texty Elišky Krásnohorské (B 23)
• Sirotek, op. 5
• Der Rosmarin (B 24bis)
• Vier Lieder nach serbischen Volksdichtungen, op. 6
• Vier Lieder aus der Königinhofer Handschrift, op. 7
• Šestero písní z Králodvorského rukopisu, op. 17
• Zwei Lieder auf Volkstexte (B 142)
• V národním tónu, op. 73

Martina Janková, soprano

Barbara Maria Willi, fortepiano

Date: 2026

Label: Navona

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On DVOŘÁK: EARLY SONGS, Czech soprano Martina Janková and fortepianist Barbara Maria Willi demonstrate Antonín Dvořák’s masterful adaptation of rich orchestral sensibilities to the intimate art song. The album features a meticulously selected collection of rarely heard lieder, highlighted by the world-premiere recording of Vzpomínání, set to a text by Eliška Krásnohorská and based on an autograph manuscript discovered in 2004. Janková's warm tone, precise diction, and expressive sensitivity seamlessly match Dvořák’s refined compositions and Willi’s period accompaniment, delivering an historically authentic yet deeply engaging performance that reveals lesser-known treasures of the romantic vocal repertoire.

Renowned as a premier Mozart interpreter, Czech-born soprano Martina Janková has enjoyed an expansive international career across opera houses and concert stages worldwide. Following studies in Ostrava and Basel, she was based at the Zurich Opera House for over two decades, gaining acclaim for her roles in Mozart’s Da Ponte cycle and appearances at the Salzburg Festival. Her versatile repertoire spans Baroque masterworks with conductors like William Christie and Diego Fasolis to 20th-century roles with major orchestras including the Cleveland, Berlin, and Vienna Philharmonics. Janková currently serves on the faculty at the Zurich University of the Arts and conducts international masterclasses.

Harpsichordist, fortepianist, and organist Barbara Maria Willi is a visionary performer, musicologist, and Rector of the Janáček Academy of Performing Arts (JAMU) in Brno. Founder of JAMU’s Department of Organ and Historical Interpretation and guest professor at the University of the Arts in The Hague, she has earned prestigious accolades—including a Diapason d’Or, a Choc du Monde de la Musique, and the German Record Critics’ Award—for her research-driven recordings. Performing regularly at major European venues like the Berlin Philharmonic and Vienna Konzerthaus, Willi is widely celebrated for her innovative festival dramaturgy, work on historical instruments, and commitment to mentoring emerging musical talent.

High Resolution 24-bit / 96 kHz