Sorting out Martinu's chamber music

[snyprrr]

Coming in December:

I have the disc by the Abell Trio. Martinu's two main Piano Trios (Late works) are really the cream of 20th-century PTs. Many of the famous Composers didn't write for a lot of the traditional formations, like PT, and, it seems, that Martinu is first choice in a few genres.

Hindemith? No.
Poulenc? No.
Bartok? No.
Prokofiev? No.

[jidlomonster]

This thread is rather neglected of late, so I thought I would revive it by mentioning some chamber works by Martinů that I think are very fine, but which do not seem to have attracted attention here yet:

• Les Rondes (an instrumental septet, originally entitled "Moravian Dances"
• Fantasy for theremin, oboe, piano and string quartet
• Three madrigals for violin and viola
• Sonata for flute, violin and piano
• Promenades for flute violin and harpsichord
• Bergerettes for piano trio

All worthy of frequent attention!

[kishnevi]

Coming in December:

That was part of my Project Martinu the last few weeks.   Thought it well done.
Part of the problem involved with the sorting out of Martinu's works involves alternative titles.  This CD provides an example: Cinq pieces breves is the title Martinu came to prefer for what was originally Piano Trio No. 1.

[jidlomonster]

That situation isn't helped by the fact that Cinq pieces breves is also the title of a wholly different set of pieces for violin and piano!

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

• Three madrigals for violin and viola

That's a good one, but the madrigal set I like most is the one for oboe, clarinet and bassoon. A very substantial and inventive piece - sounds like an updated baroque trio sonata.

[jidlomonster]

'Les madrigaux' - an interesting choice.  Not a piece I listen to a great deal, even though I have a score of it.  I find it a bit sour - but my preference on the whole is for the more cheerful side of Martinů's musical personality.  I should probably return to the wind trio and work at it a little harder.  Another favourite among his madrigal compositions, for me, is the Madrigal Sonata, which I really should have included in my original list!

[Mirror Image]

This thread is rather neglected of late, so I thought I would revive it by mentioning some chamber works by Martinů that I think are very fine, but which do not seem to have attracted attention here yet:

• Les Rondes (an instrumental septet, originally entitled "Moravian Dances"
• Fantasy for theremin, oboe, piano and string quartet
• Three madrigals for violin and viola
• Sonata for flute, violin and piano
• Promenades for flute violin and harpsichord
• Bergerettes for piano trio

All worthy of frequent attention!

A fine list, but I do not know the Fantasy for theremin, oboe, piano, and string quartet. I'm not really sure how I feel about the theremin to be honest, so this probably has something to do with my hesitation to check it out. One of my absolute favorite chambers works is Musique de Chambre No. 1 for clarinet, violin, viola, cello, harp and piano, H 376. Do you know this one, Michael? I think it captures a certain sense of nostalgia and longing for his homeland that is quite compelling.

[kishnevi]

This thread is rather neglected of late, so I thought I would revive it by mentioning some chamber works by Martinů that I think are very fine, but which do not seem to have attracted attention here yet:

• Les Rondes (an instrumental septet, originally entitled "Moravian Dances"
• Fantasy for theremin, oboe, piano and string quartet
• Three madrigals for violin and viola
• Sonata for flute, violin and piano
• Promenades for flute violin and harpsichord
• Bergerettes for piano trio

All worthy of frequent attention!

except for the theremin fantasy and perhaps the madrigals*  all of these have been recorded on Naxos.  What do you think of those performances? (Asking because the bulk of my Martinu chamber works consists of these.)

*Some of the madrigals appear on the Naxos CDs, but off the top of my head I'm not sure which combinations of instruments are involved.

[Mirror Image]

Since I haven't really contributed much to this thread, here are some of my favorite Martinů chamber works (in no particular order):

- Musique de Chambre No. 1 for clarinet, violin, viola, cello, harp and piano, H 376
- String Sextet, H 224
- Piano Quintet No. 2, H 298
- Sonata for two violins & piano, H 213
- Nonet, H 374
- Rhythmic Études for violin & piano, H 202
- Sonata for viola & piano, H 355
- Five Madrigal Stanzas for violin & piano, H 297
- Bergerettes for piano trio, H 275
- Trio for flute, cello, & piano, H 300

[Biffo]

I have the disc by the Abell Trio. Martinu's two main Piano Trios (Late works) are really the cream of 20th-century PTs. Many of the famous Composers didn't write for a lot of the traditional formations, like PT, and, it seems, that Martinu is first choice in a few genres.

There is also a fine disc of the Piano Trios from the Smetana Trio (Supraphon, 2016).

[vandermolen]

There was a music competition going on at the school where I worked today and I overheard a beautiful piece of chamber music. After it finished I congratulated the young and very talented clarinettist and asked her what it was - it turned out to be the middle movement from Martinu's 'Sonatina for Clarinet and Piano'. She said that she regarded it as one of Martinu's finest works.

[Mirror Image]

There was a music competition going on at the school where I worked today and I overheard a beautiful piece of chamber music. After it finished I congratulated the young and very talented clarinettist and asked her what it was - it turned out to be the middle movement from Martinu's 'Sonatina for Clarinet and Piano'. She said that she regarded it as one of Martinu's finest works.

Nice, Jeffrey. Not to sound like skeptic, but I'd have to know how much of Martinů's chamber music she actually knows. If her knowledge of the composer runs deep, then I'd happy nod my head (even though I disagree with her). Plus, she's a clarinetist, so obviously she might show a bit of a bias towards those pieces that feature her instrument.

As an aside, I wish a moderator would merge this thread with the already existing Martinů thread.

[DavidW]

My favorites are the cello sonatas, string quartets and piano quintets.

[vandermolen]

Good to know - maybe as a young clarinettist she was naturally enthusiastic about the work.

[Karl Henning]

Good to know - maybe as a young clarinettist she was naturally enthusiastic about the work.

I'm sure that's true. I doubt she was setting herself up as a "Martinů expert."

[DavidW]

I'm sure that's true. I doubt she was setting herself up as a "Martinů expert."

Well we know better than to trust a clarinet player though... oh wait.

[vandermolen]

Well we know better than to trust a clarinet player though... oh wait.

[Mirror Image]

Well we know better than to trust a clarinet player though... oh wait.

Damn those clarinetists!