Leoš Janáček, the Czech master, created a body of piano music as distinctive and forward-thinking as his operas. Rudolf Firkušný, one of the century's greatest Janáček interpreters, brings these pieces to vivid life here under Rafael Kubelik's direction. This two-disc collection spans Janáček's career from the poignant Zdenka Variations through the modal, almost impressionistic beauty of On The Overgrown Path and the darker introspection of In The Mists. Each piece feels sculpted from silence, with Janáček's characteristic use of short rhythmic motifs and sudden harmonic shifts creating miniature emotional landscapes. If you love his operatic voice but haven't explored his piano writing, Firkušný's deeply felt, technically immaculate performances are the ideal entry point.