Sorting out Martinu's chamber music

[snyprrr]

btw-

The Sinfonietta Giocosa especially, and the Sinfonietta La Jolla are two '40s works, chamber piano concertos, that I think show up Martinu's delicacy. I think they should be included in his chamber works, too.

[snyprrr]

So, just like a drunk at AA, I've "earned" my seat at the Martinu Fan Club's annual roast! And I've got the cd receipts to prove it.

I even bought that "Serenades"/Supraphon cd... twice!!!... and for the original cover art!!! Even I feel that's OCD! And I liiike the Magrigals... some of them.

Honestly, I really don't tire of "that" Martinu melody. You know.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

So, my arguement goes, that I don't like Martinu's "jazz" style, his blatantly baroque style, and his "dark, serious" style. SQ 5 and the Cello Sonatas fall into the latter category. I know that they are "important" Martinu pieces, and many people like them, but I singularily don't like them because I just don't like the way Martinu "does" serious, and they dooo stand out as serious works in Martinu's ouvre, no?

They dooooo, and if you don't like the way he does serious, that's your business. I just find it interesting that you reject 3 of his 4 "basic" styles. I like the "dark, serious" style and the last-decade style about evenly - but I do admit that his last decade was more interesting stylistically. I am much cooler to the jazzy and neo-Baroque periods.

So!..aha... Touche, m'lord... I have your Martinu surrounded!!

I think he'll manage to escape somehow 

The Sinfonietta Giocosa especially, and the Sinfonietta La Jolla are two '40s works, chamber piano concertos, that I think show up Martinu's delicacy. I think they should be included in his chamber works, too.

I love the La Jolla, which has one of the most eloquent nocturnal slow mvts. ever written, similar in spirit to the religioso from Bartok's 3rd PC, but even better I think. I can't get into the Giocosa; too much neo-Baroque busy-ness there. But you didn't mention the true masterpiece of the chamber piano concertos: Toccata e due canzoni.

[snyprrr]

I was getting that confused with the Tre Ricercare, another one of my favs. That Decca/Hogwood disc is surprisingly filled with bonbons!

Yes, like a pig snuffling for truffles, the Martinu-hunter is sure to uncover morsels in the strangest of places.

Actually!!!... my fav of the "gothic-y" piano/orch. stuff are the Inventions. Do check those out... lots of fun.

[snyprrr]

I was getting that confused with the Tre Ricercare, another one of my favs. That Decca/Hogwood disc is surprisingly filled with bonbons!

Yes, like a pig snuffling for truffles, the Martinu-hunter is sure to uncover morsels in the strangest of places.

Actually!!!... my fav of the "gothic-y" piano/orch. stuff are the Inventions. Do check those out... lots of fun.

Seriously??

Two years ago??


Anyhow, I've been digging in to the Piano Quintets today (good on YouTube, also), and,...mmm... they fall into the Martinu-I-don't-like Category. ok,... No.1(1933) definitely is vintage I-don't-like Martinu, much like the Piano Quartet No.2 (NeoClassicism?,..."Stravinsky's Martinu Phase", hahahaha). No.2(1944), which I have always built up in my head because of glorious, glowing reviews, comes off to me as being in Martinu's more accomplished, yet still annoying, motoic NeoBaroque manner. However, because of its length, it has heft, and the last two mvmts. made the strongest impression on me. I even heard a passage straight out of my favorite Castillion PQ, and a passing nod to Tubular Bells style coolness.

I'm going to call PQ2 "Martinu's Best String Quartet." Yes, I don't like any of them.

Now, I love my Martinu, so please, don't get me wrong. But, I have developed a MartinuIN/OUTButton, and, I am no longer in Control, haha ! Chamber wise, in general order, I offer my HighestRecommendation to

String Duo No.1

String Sextet

Flute Sonata

Nonet

Of course I haven't heard it all, but, I'm not necessarily seeking any more Masterpieces from this source. I would like to here the Late Sonatas for clarinet and trumpet(?), and the Chamber Music. That first String Duo is my personal favorite Martinu Chamber Work (I know, I know,... but ), and I do like that String Sextet (w/Dvorak; Hyperion: Great Recording!), so, please, forgive my HeavyHammer.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Anyhow, I've been digging in to the Piano Quintets today (good on YouTube, also), and,...mmm... they fall into the Martinu-I-don't-like Category.

Ha, that's not what you said two years ago. Check out the ranking:

1) Nonet (+ Chamber Music No.1 and Nocturne, all three his last works)
2) Piano Quintet No.2

I'm curious, BTW, where you hear this "Tubular Bells style coolness."

[snyprrr]

Ha, that's not what you said two years ago. Check out the ranking:

I'm curious, BTW, where you hear this "Tubular Bells style coolness."

1) ok ok, PQ2 was starting to grow on me last night. I'll be honest about 2 years ago: I don't think I'd really heard the piece yet. Hrhmm,... I think I was ASSUMING that it was in the style of Symphony 6. Boy, you really got me there, haha! Still, the piece is very strange to me, veryquirky,... I thought it was going to be in his smoother Late style, but it is somewhat clanky and fussy. I like it enough to keep listening, though.

2) It's in the Scherzo, I think. It's that typical descending minor key type passage (e-minor/D/C fpr instance) with the 'Carol of the Bells' type melody. Maybe I got my 'Bells' mixed up, but then again, 'Tubular Bells' and 'Carol of the Bells' do have that same progression.

[karlhenning]

The pf quintets are groovy. Whatchoo talkin' bout, snypsss?

[DavidW]

The pf quintets are groovy. Whatchoo talkin' bout, snypsss?

That makes him sound like a snake... a sneaky snake!   I have the piano quartets, they are top shelf.  I'll have to check out the quintets sometime.

[Scarpia]

Is there a general Martinu thread in the composer section?  If there is it is not turning up when I search for it.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Yeah, it's here:

http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,3689.0.html

[Scarpia]

Yeah, it's here:

http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,3689.0.html

I see, it spell the name properly with that "u" with a circle over it, which the board's search function doesn't consider equivalent to a simple "u".  So unless I buy a new keyboard searching for Martinu won't work.  Explains why the thread is so short. 

[Luke]

I see, it spell the name properly with that "u" with a circle over it, which the board's search function doesn't consider equivalent to a simple "u".  So unless I buy a new keyboard searching for Martinu won't work.  Explains why the thread is so short.

'Tis called a kroužek. But that's just me being all diacritical...

[Scarpia]

'Tis called a kroužek. But that's just me being all diacritical...

Well, whatever it is called, it ain't on my keyboard, so I'll be satisfied with my mention of Martinu (sic) on the "what are you listening to" thread.   

[Luke]

Hell, me too, I'm more than guilty of this particular sin!

[Luke]

BTW so nice to see all the love for Martinu's Nonet. What a splendid piece it is!

[Scarpia]

BTW so nice to see all the love for Martinu's Nonet. What a splendid piece it is!

Recently listened to the concerto for two pianos (maybe "the" isn't justified, hard to keep track of whether there is more than one).  A nicely done piece, but put together in the standard Martinu fashion.  It would be interesting to study the scores, because there is an unmistakable Martinu "sound" that I seem to pick up on immediately.  It must be some sort of poly-tonal harmony.

[Luke]

There are certain harmonies and more importantly, certain harmonic changes and modulation that contain that specifically Martinu sound; but more than anything, I think, it is the rhythmic writing. The combination of all these things is why snyppr can talk of 'that' Martinu melody as if there were only one. In a sense, and in only some (but much) of his output, that is true. Sort of.

[karlhenning]

I see, it spell the name properly with that "u" with a circle over it, which the board's search function doesn't consider equivalent to a simple "u".  So unless I buy a new keyboard searching for Martinu won't work.  Explains why the thread is so short.

Just a note that Lethe's Composer Index is probably the most efficient way to find such a thread!

[Brian]

Coming in December: