Frank Martin

[klingsor]

That's great news about DER STURM!

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Hyperion/CDA67821%252F3

[The new erato]

Holy crap! Hyperion is releasing the complete "Der Sturm" on a 3 CD set in May. Another great thank you to a label that dare go where the former biggies don't dare.

Yes it is. As you will see from the previous posting in this thread.....

[Wanderer]

Holy crap! Hyperion is releasing the complete "Der Sturm" on a 3 CD set in May. Another great thank you to a label that dare go where the former biggies don't dare.

It finally appeared for pre-order on mdt (and I presume elsewhere).

Here be samples.

[klingsor]

Next Friday (22 April) you can hear a live performance of Martin's GOLGOTHA on BBC3 

Info here says "Part 1" but I think it will be complete: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01074j8

More info: http://www.bbc.co.uk/orchestras/events/529

[vandermolen]

'In Terra Pax' is my favourite work by Martin - I had a fine old Ansermet double LP with Honegger's 'King David' decades ago.

[not edward]

'In Terra Pax' is my favourite work by Martin - I had a fine old Ansermet double LP with Honeggr's 'King David' decades ago.

I think that Ansermet recording still stands up very well. It's on the second disc of the Decca/London 2CD set, with the Schneiderhan/Ansermet violin concerto (also one that stands up very well).

I'd like to see a new recording of the String Quartet (to my mind a fine example of 'late' Martin); as far as I know it's currently only available in a performance with the Amati String Quartet on the rather low-profile Divox label. (They may be getting better distribution now, as they've recently joined the Naxos stable.)

[asin]B00005R2J6[/asin]

[The new erato]

I think that Ansermet recording still stands up very well. It's on the second disc of the Decca/London 2CD set, with the Schneiderhan/Ansermet violin concerto (also one that stands up very well).

Bamert on Chandios is very fine in this,

I'd like to see a new recording of the String Quartet (to my mind a fine example of 'late' Martin); as far as I know it's currently only available in a performance with the Amati String Quartet on the rather low-profile Divox label. (They may be getting better distribution now, as they've recently joined the Naxos stable.)

The Divox disc is fine though, I wish however that it was coupled with other Martin stuff,  and agree that it deserves to be taken up by more profiled ensembles.

[snyprrr]

I think that Ansermet recording still stands up very well. It's on the second disc of the Decca/London 2CD set, with the Schneiderhan/Ansermet violin concerto (also one that stands up very well).

I'd like to see a new recording of the String Quartet (to my mind a fine example of 'late' Martin); as far as I know it's currently only available in a performance with the Amati String Quartet on the rather low-profile Divox label. (They may be getting better distribution now, as they've recently joined the Naxos stable.)

[asin]B00005R2J6[/asin]

I have that Divox issue,... but, the older one, which has Martin, Haller, Vogel, and Kelterborn. This particular version of the cd is awesome! The Amati have the HOTTEST second violinist, the yummy Barbara Suter!! Oh yea,... the music...

Divox has the habit of re-issuing all their cds.


I really like Martin's SQ. It is the most noble expression of 12tone/Hindemithian restraint, conservative yet compellingly Modern in its synthesis.

[klingsor]

Next Friday (22 April) you can hear a live performance of Martin's GOLGOTHA on BBC3 

Info here says "Part 1" but I think it will be complete: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01074j8

More info: http://www.bbc.co.uk/orchestras/events/529

I don't know if anyone cares, but this performance is available to hear for a few more days. It's beautifully done, soloists and esp chorus are top-notch. And yes, it's complete in 2 parts 

[klingsor]

If anyone is interested, you can hear (or download) the ENTIRE recording of DER STURM on this site:

http://www.operatoday.com/content/2010/02/martin_der_stur.php

[RJR]

If anyone is interested, you can hear (or download) the ENTIRE recording of DER STURM on this site:

http://www.operatoday.com/content/2010/02/martin_der_stur.php

Thanks for the music. Sounds great. Looking forward to listening to the complete opera one day. Love Frank Martin.

[snyprrr]

The new year's first candidate up for reevaluation... ahhh, Frank Martin! Yes, I was listening to Milhaud's Ballade for Piano & Orchestra, when I thought to pop in that old standby, the 'Ballades' cd from Chandos, a cd which, I presume, has a strange hold on all those who love it!

The Piano Ballade (1939) has just the right 'gothic full moon' hazy, humid... 'Wolfman On the Plantation', I dunno, I like it! Anyhow, I went through a few more Ballades when I wondered where to go next?

Of course there's the PSC, but I find it so structured coming off that Chandos disc. So I went a'Amazonin', and after a while came down to only a few works I wanted to hear, works with the same feel as the Ballades as a collective (doh! there's that wooord. ).


I'll start with the Violin Concerto. No Review of this piece has made me want to get any issue of it as it stands. I had the ABC cd (w/Milhaud & Barber) a looong time ago, but sold it for some reason. I'm sure I've heard the first of the German's recordings. But I'm hearing human limitation instead of magic. I need Mutter or Tetzlaff or someone transcendent, with backing to boot. So, the VC is a no-go for me right now.

Piano Concertos 1-2: No.2, though nice and Bartokian, is not what I want Martin for. I didn't get to No.1 on YT. Still, I don't think this is where I'm heading.

Harpsichord Concerto: A Virgin Listen right now on YT. WOW!, from the first notes I'm in! I just wish the recording options were greater. I can't believe someone doesn't record a Martinu/Milhaud/Martin/Gerhard disc or something! Anyhow, I like this. I'll continue whilst listening...

Cello Concerto: This was the big find last night. Here is a nice, subdued piece of work, just the way I like my Martin. QUESTION: Are you all for the Haitink/Doron recording? I never got around to The Four Elements.


For some reason, I have NEVER warmed up to the Wind Concerto thing (usually DG), and, I place the String Etudes thing in the same category. I dunno. Also, the Polytych(sic?) I didn't warm to right away (sound like Dutilleux?). And I'm not looking at the vocal works. Those pieces, and the Maria Tryptikon thing seem to be on all kinds of odd labels, from New Albion to ECM to DG.


I was very impressed with the Cello Concerto. I would think this is the way Rubbra sounds.

I'm still being very impressed by the Harpsichord Concerto right now, too. It reminds me a little of Schoenberg's Piano Concerto, in its decaying baroqueness.


Still, I have to think that the Chandos disc 'Ballades' is the Supreme Martin Award for All-Time, no? It's just everything you really want, right there. Then you can pick a PSC from there (I currently abide with Wand and am quite satisfied). Anyhow, I want to hear your Martin stories.

I'm also interested in the String Quintet,... I think I have the Piano Quintet, nicely pre-figuring the 'Ballades'. His Chamber Music is as scattershot as Dutilleux, Ohana, and other odd Modernists. Again I'll lift up the 1965 String Quartet as the Last Masterpiece of Serio/Neo-Classicism (1971). Anyhow...

[Mirror Image]

I'm still trying to understand Martin. A former GMG member raved about his music a good bit. What exactly am I missing? I own the entire Chandos series plus a 2-CD set with Ansermet and the MD&G series of the concerti.

[jlaurson]

I'm still trying to understand Martin. A former GMG member raved about his music a good bit. What exactly am I missing? I own the entire Chandos series plus a 2-CD set with Ansermet and the MD&G series of the concerti.

I hear you. I stubbornly admire and respect his music, but I love little of it. Certainly Polyptique, though! http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2009/02/ionarts-at-large-mozarts-requiem-with.html
Listening to Der Sturm right now, which is very nice. Double Mass and Four Short Pieces for Guitar live, two nights ago... that was more of the appreciation-not-love thing.

[Mirror Image]

Thanks for the feedback, Jens. Another composer I'm having a hard time grasping is Frank Bridge, but Martin and Bridge are going to be two projects I'm interesting in starting soon. I hope I find something of theirs that I enjoy.

[jlaurson]

Thanks for the feedback, Jens. Another composer I'm having a hard time grasping is Frank Bridge, but Martin and Bridge are going to be two projects I'm interesting in starting soon. I hope I find something of theirs that I enjoy.

Bridge I find easier to enjoy, if perhaps less satisfying down the road. I recommend his early chamber music... specifically the Sextet and the Quintet:
The Best Recordings in 2004
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2004/12/best-recordings-in-2004.html

[Mirror Image]

Bridge I find easier to enjoy, if perhaps less satisfying down the road. I recommend his early chamber music... specifically the Sextet and the Quintet:
The Best Recordings in 2004
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2004/12/best-recordings-in-2004.html

Thanks, Jens. I'm pretty turned-off by Bridge right now, but I'll keep these recommendations in mind.

[DavidRoss]

Thanks for the feedback, Jens. Another composer I'm having a hard time grasping is Frank Bridge, but Martin and Bridge are going to be two projects I'm interesting in starting soon. I hope I find something of theirs that I enjoy.

Bridge is like Delius ... but with cojones.

[Mirror Image]

Bridge is like Delius ... but with cojones.

Ummm...no. I disagree. The only commonality they share, in my opinion, is that both were raised in England.

[The new erato]

Bridge is like Delius ... but with cojones.

I tend to agree. At least I find similarities but with more personality in Bridge.

And for the Martin violin concerto, snyprrr needs Schneiderhan.