Top 5 Favorite Martinů Works

[North Star]

Ok, clearly I need to hear the Nonet 
Any recommended recording?

John is right I don't listen to a great deal of chamber music, or opera for that matter. Having said that I'm currently greatly enjoying the string quartets 1 and 2 by Kabalevsky and some chamber music by Roslavets.

PS I do own a CD including the Nonet  (Kocian Quartet).
No idea where it is - must find it.

This marvelous collection of Martinů's chamber works.
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[vandermolen]

This marvelous collection of Martinů's chamber works.
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Many thanks for the recommendation.

[Mirror Image]

This marvelous collection of Martinů's chamber works.
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I can only second this recommendation. A superb set all-around.

[NikF]

I can only second this recommendation. A superb set all-around.

I'll hijack those two recommendations as an excuse for me to order it.

[Mirror Image]

As expected, my list is different again:

Trio for Flute, Violin, & Piano, H 254
Viola Sonata, H 355
The Parables, H 367
Le raid merveilleux, H 159
The Spectre's Bride, H 214

[Mirror Image]

I'll hijack those two recommendations as an excuse for me to order it.

Excellent, Nik. Are you familiar with Martinu's music in general?

[NikF]

Excellent, Nik. Are you familiar with Martinu's music in general?

Indeed, I am, although I only have these -

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I've only listened to the PC disk once and so have yet to form an opinion. But of the symphonies I particularly enjoy 2 and 4. And although there's obviously more to them than just this, overall I find them a thrill. What's yer own favourite of them, bro?

[Mirror Image]

Indeed, I am, although I only have these -

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I've only listened to the PC disk once and so have yet to form an opinion. But of the symphonies I particularly enjoy 2 and 4. And although there's obviously more to them than just this, overall I find them a thrill. What's yer own favourite of them, bro?

Ah very good. Not my favorite cycle of the symphonies, but I'm glad that you own them (and the PC set, too). Of the symphonies, I'd say the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 6th are my favorites. Of the piano concerti, I like Piano Concertos Nos. 2-4 the best. Although, admittedly, I need to revisit the cycle as it's been too long since I've heard any of them with the exception of Piano Concerto No. 4, "Incantations", which I revisited not too long ago. I don't want to turn this into a recommendation thread, but if you enjoy concertos in general, then Hogwood's series on Hyperion titled Complete Music for Violin and Orchestra, which is in four volumes, will be right up your alley. Lots to enjoy there. But we've barely scraped the surface of Martinu's oeuvre.

[NikF]

Ah very good. Not my favorite cycle of the symphonies, but I'm glad that you own them (and the PC set, too). Of the symphonies, I'd say the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 6th are my favorites. Of the piano concerti, I like Piano Concertos Nos. 2-4 the best. Although, admittedly, I need to revisit the cycle as it's been too long since I've heard any of them with the exception of Piano Concerto No. 4, "Incantations", which I revisited not too long ago. I don't want to turn this into a recommendation thread, but if you enjoy concertos in general, then Hogwood's series on Hyperion titled Complete Music for Violin and Orchestra, which is in four volumes, will be right up your alley. Lots to enjoy there. But we've barely scraped the surface of Martinu's oeuvre.

Hogwood - haven't even seen that before. I'll give it a try. Cheers, oor MI!

[Mirror Image]

Hogwood - haven't even seen that before. I'll give it a try. Cheers, oor MI!

You're welcome, Nik. The series in question:

[NikF]

You're welcome, Nik. The series in question:

Yeah, I checked it out and the first volume currently nestles in my basket!

[Mirror Image]

Yeah, I checked it out and the first volume currently nestles in my basket!

Great, Nik!

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Indeed, I am, although I only have these -

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As is well documented by now () I'm of a different mindset than MI about Belohlavek. To me Belohlavek's Martinu cycle is tops, so I'd say you're batting a thousand.

[Parsifal]

As is well documented by now () I'm of a different mindset than MI about Belohlavek. To me Belohlavek's Martinu cycle is tops, so I'd say you're batting a thousand.

I've found myself beset by too many Martinu symphony cycles! I want to listen to the symphonies again in a coherent cycle and I keep getting drawn into comparisons of recordings. I have to pick one cycle. I have determined that Thomson and Jarvi do not appeal to me, and Belohlavek does although the audio engineering irritates me (I seem to be alone on that). Now it is down to listening to Valek again (which I liked a lot the first time) or listening to Neumann. I think it will be Neumann.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I've found myself beset by too many Martinu symphony cycles! I want to listen to the symphonies again in a coherent cycle and I keep getting drawn into comparisons of recordings. I have to pick one cycle. I have determined that Thomson and Jarvi do not appeal to me, and Belohlavek does although the audio engineering irritates me (I seem to be alone on that). Now it is down to listening to Valek again (which I liked a lot the first time) or listening to Neumann. I think it will be Neumann.

Neumann is certainly worthwhile. Gets my vote for one of the best. I haven't hard Valek but at this point I think I'm pretty sated.

[Mirror Image]

I've found myself beset by too many Martinu symphony cycles! I want to listen to the symphonies again in a coherent cycle and I keep getting drawn into comparisons of recordings. I have to pick one cycle. I have determined that Thomson and Jarvi do not appeal to me, and Belohlavek does although the audio engineering irritates me (I seem to be alone on that). Now it is down to listening to Valek again (which I liked a lot the first time) or listening to Neumann. I think it will be Neumann.

My problem with the Belohlavek/BBC SO cycle sonically speaking is the dry acoustic. The orchestra just sounds hollow. Is this your problem with it, too?

Actually, we're not alone in our disappointment with the audio quality of the Belohlavek/BBC SO set:

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2011/Oct11/Martinu_symphonies_onyx4061.htm

[Dancing Divertimentian]

My problem with the Belohlavek/BBC SO cycle sonically speaking is the dry acoustic. The orchestra just sounds hollow. Is this your problem with it, too?

Actually, we're not alone in our disappointment with the audio quality of the Belohlavek/BBC SO set:

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2011/Oct11/Martinu_symphonies_onyx4061.htm

And here is Gramophone's extremely positive review of Belohlavek's/BBC set:

https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/martinů-symphonies-nos-1-6-0

No mention of "hollow". And I concur.

[Mirror Image]

And here is Gramophone's extremely positive review of Belohlavek's/BBC set:

https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/martinů-symphonies-nos-1-6-0

No mention of "hollow". And I concur.

In my link, there are two reviews via MusicWeb that mention the less-than-ideal audio quality, plus your linked Gramphone review didn't even mention Turnovsky's supreme performance of the 4th symphony when they were spouting off other great performances of Martinu symphonies, so I'll go ahead and void that reviewer's entire testimony.

One of the main problems with the Belohlavek/BBC SO cycle from an audio standpoint is the whole cycle was recorded at the Barbican, which would constitute for the dry acoustic I hear. I plan on revisiting Belohlavek's cycle over the weekend (perhaps sooner) to see if my opinion has changed. Hopefully, it has as I do quite like the performances and have no complaints regarding his interpretative choices (they pretty much haven't changed all that much from his earlier performances on Chandos and Supraphon).

[Dancing Divertimentian]

In my link, there are two reviews via MusicWeb that mention the less-than-ideal audio quality, plus your linked Gramphone review didn't even mention Turnovsky's supreme performance of the 4th symphony when they were spouting off other great performances of Martinu symphonies, so I'll go ahead and void that reviewer's entire testimony.

Sigh..........

One of the main problems with the Belohlavek/BBC SO cycle from an audio standpoint is the whole cycle was recorded at the Barbican, which would constitute for the dry acoustic I hear. I plan on revisiting Belohlavek's cycle over the weekend (perhaps sooner) to see if my opinion has changed. Hopefully, it has as I do quite like the performances and have no complaints regarding his interpretative choices (they pretty much haven't changed all that much from his earlier performances on Chandos and Supraphon).

I see.

[Mirror Image]

Sigh..........

I see.

Don't you go sighing my friend or at least not just yet.

The 2nd:



I want to formally apologize to Dancing Divertimentian for my negative comments on the sound quality of this set. Right away, I was drawn in and it also helps that the performance itself is so engaging. I fully disagree with Scrapia in his negative comments about the audio quality.

I'm pretty much with Dancing Divertimentian, this Bělohlávek cycle and Neumann's are the way to go when it comes to Martinů's symphonies. Third place, for me, would go to Thomson on Chandos.