I happen to love these two works of music by Czech composer Leoš Janáček, from his piano cycle of thirteen pre-WWI pieces called “On an Overgrown Path.”
I love that evocative title. They fit the somber mood of the present day, and are extraordinarily beautiful besides, especially the second one. Enjoy.
[NOTE: You may recognize the cycle as having been featured in the film "The Unbearable Lightness of Being," based on the novel by one of my favorite authors, Milan Kundera, another Czech. But that's not where I first encountered it. It was the accompaniment to a beautful ballet by Jiri Kylian choreographed in the early 80s.
What's more, I tried long ago to learn these two pieces on the piano, in the manner of my Chopin jaunt. But alas, I was roundly defeated; they are fiendishly difficult.]
Previously a lifelong Democrat, born in New York and living in New England, surrounded by liberals on all sides, I've found myself slowly but surely 
December 28th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Thanks for these. Want to get to know the works better — as an listener, I’m not a musician. Love Janacek’s Sinfonietta and Glagolitic Mass. Bought a cd of his 1 & 2 String Quartets a few months back — will put it on asap.
December 28th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Well neo, you have great taste in music.
BOulez has a recent recording of his last Opera, From the House of the Dead; it is worth listening to, particularly to get a feel for his later work.
http://www.amazon.com/Leos-Janacek-Chereau-Festival-Aix-en-Provence/dp/B0012LH82Y