Bohuslav Martinů (1890-1959)

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

It's a shame that Belohlavek never finished his CzPO Supraphon cycle, which I found easily preferable to his British coal mining approach.

I had the 3/4 of the CzPO cycle. While I thought the 4th was great, the 3rd didn't really catch fire, and the Supraphon sound was distant and lacking in impact.

I prefer the "British coal mining" cycle, the energy of a live performance, plus more impactful sound.

[SurprisedByBeauty]

I had the 3/4 of the CzPO cycle. While I thought the 4th was great, the 3rd didn't really catch fire, and the Supraphon sound was distant and lacking in impact.

I prefer the "British coal mining" cycle, the energy of a live performance, plus more impactful sound.

I hear you, re: that 5/6  CzPO cycle... but demerits and a sternly raised eyebrow for using a UN-word like "impactful". Yikes! 

[Draško]

I had the 3/4 of the CzPO cycle. While I thought the 4th was great, the 3rd didn't really catch fire, and the Supraphon sound was distant and lacking in impact.

I prefer the "British coal mining" cycle, the energy of a live performance, plus more impactful sound.

I've listened to that 3rd just couple of days ago and didn't have that impression, but the Supraphon sound is definitely softer and slightly hazy, like most Rudolfinum recordings.

If you want the 3rd that really catches fire try to find live Ancerl on Praga, that one leaves burnt tire marks and Ancerl is the only one who can make that kind of work. And avoid old Sejna, so slow that the general tone of the piece comes across different, almost ominous.   

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

I reviewed the whole Belohlavek cycle on this thread back when I got it, end of 2011 I think. I thought 3, 4 and 6 were the standouts, and I still think so.

After all these years, I think Neumann still holds up really well, despite a few quibbles on my part.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

BTW there is an individual Neumann issue on Denon of 3 & 6. It seems to be very highly regarded. Anyone heard it?

[SurprisedByBeauty]

BTW there is an individual Neumann issue on Denon of 3 & 6. It seems to be very highly regarded. Anyone heard it?

I have it; it did not grab me by the lapels the first time around but I should probably re-listen before I suggest that it ain't the bees' knees.

[Draško]

BTW there is an individual Neumann issue on Denon of 3 & 6. It seems to be very highly regarded. Anyone heard it?

https://www.youtube.com/v/G1FFXYRDqGs

[SurprisedByBeauty]

https://www.youtube.com/v/G1FFXYRDqGs

Mine has that cover (Denon manufactured but not Denon label, it turns outl), but I reckon they are the same recording:



Martinu; Symphonies No. 3/No.6. Fantaisies Symphoniques

Doesn't include the Inventions, though.

[Draško]

Mine has that cover (Denon manufactured but not Denon label, it turns outl), but I reckon they are the same recording:

Yeah, they are all the same. Recorded in 1982 and 1984. The silver/blue one on youtube is some Neumann anniversary tribute edition, Inventions are an added earlier recording. I have a Beethoven disc with the same cover design, from the same series.



I have yet a third variant. Mine is this:

[SurprisedByBeauty]

I have yet a third variant. Mine is this:

Easily the prettiest!

[Draško]

Easily the prettiest!

Yes. It's a rehash of one of three LP covers comprising Neumann's analog cycle (2,6). The second one is now the cover of the set (1, Inventions) and this is the third (3,4,5):



All three are paintings by Jan Zrzavy, Czech painter and a friend of Martinu.



Zrzavy's portrait of Martinu.

[SurprisedByBeauty]

Yes. It's a rehash of one of three LP covers comprising Neumann's analog cycle (2,6). The second one is now the cover of the set (1, Inventions) and this is the third (3,4,5):



All three are paintings by Jan Zrzavy, Czech painter and a friend of Martinu.

Uhah... that is almost a touch confusing, because that particular recording itself is not part of that cycle...

[Mirror Image]

It's a fantastic set John. Ordered yesterday and magically arriving today. It's worth mentioning that despite the title of the album the only symphonies included are No. 4 in that marvellous performance with Martin Turnovsky and the Czech PO and No.6 'Fantasies Symphoniques' in another classic recording with Charles Munch and the Boston SO. However,  the other 'symphonic works' include my favourites:

Frescoes of Piero della Francesca

The Parables

Double Concerto for two string orchestras piano and timpani

as well as the Three Ricercari and Toccata.

The set is excellent value at Amazon UK and as you say is not an expensive Japanese import. Remastering sounds v good as well.

Coincidently, Jeffrey, I ended up buying this set (received it today in the mail actually). I already owned both performances of the symphonies (Nos. 4 & 6) in other issues and the Ančerl performance, but I bought this mainly for the Kubelik and Šejna performances, which I didn't own. I also don't believe I owned this performance of Tre Ricercari conducted by Bělohlávek (I may be wrong about this so I'll have to double check).

[Mirror Image]

The latest discography is up:




A Survey of Martinů Symphony Cycles

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2019/01/a-survey-of-martinu-symphony-cycles.html

I read your survey, Jens and thanks for posting it here. I have to say I pretty much agree with you except that I don't think Válek's cycle is noteworthy. Järvi is probably my go-to complete cycle (especially for Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3, although I love Neumann in the 2nd as well), but I would say that Bělohlávek's 1st on Chandos is my favorite performance for that particular symphony. I still go back to the legendary Turnovský for the 4th. In the 6th, it's difficult to imagine anyone bettering Munch. That leaves the 5th, which has always been my least favorite Martinů symphony (or at least the one I don't really 'get' is a better way to put it), but I really think Neumann captures the mood of this work rather well.

[SurprisedByBeauty]

I read your survey, Jens and thanks for posting it here. I have to say I pretty much agree with you except that I don't think Válek's cycle is noteworthy. Järvi is probably my go-to complete cycle (especially for Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3, although I love Neumann in the 2nd as well), but I would say that Bělohlávek's 1st on Chandos is my favorite performance for that particular symphony. I still go back to the legendary Turnovský for the 4th. In the 6th, it's difficult to imagine anyone bettering Munch. That leaves the 5th, which has always been my least favorite Martinů symphony (or at least the one I don't really 'get' is a better way to put it), but I really think Neumann captures the mood of this work rather well.

Thanks much for reading and the kind words.

There seems to be something about the Válek cycle -- which either incites dismissal or admiration. Interesting phenomenon that I've not yet been able to put my finger on...

[Mirror Image]

Thanks much for reading and the kind words.

There seems to be something about the Válek cycle -- which either incites dismissal or admiration. Interesting phenomenon that I've not yet been able to put my finger on...

You're welcome, Jens. I'm not sure why Válek doesn't do it for me as it's been quite some time since I've heard any of his performances, but I remember thinking he was no better than Arthur Fagen (another cycle that wasn't very distinctive or unique).

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

I would say that Bělohlávek's 1st on Chandos is my favorite performance for that particular symphony.

Yeah, that one is certainly better than the one in his BBC cycle. I'm also emotionally attached to that disc because it was the first Martinů I ever bought.

That leaves the 5th, which has always been my least favorite Martinů symphony (or at least the one I don't really 'get' is a better way to put it), but I really think Neumann captures the mood of this work rather well.

Neumann's good, but Ancerl is great. I had trouble with the 5th too, but finally "got" it by listening backwards - i.e. to the finale first. It's one of Martinů's greatest individual movements, I think. It's an oddly structured symphony - all 3 movements have the same form (ABC - A'B'C').

[Mirror Image]

Yeah, that one is certainly better than the one in his BBC cycle. I'm also emotionally attached to that disc because it was the first Martinů I ever bought.

Neumann's good, but Ancerl is great. I had trouble with the 5th too, but finally "got" it by listening backwards - i.e. to the finale first. It's one of Martinů's greatest individual movements, I think. It's an oddly structured symphony - all 3 movements have the same form (ABC - A'B'C').

I'll have to listen to the 5th backwards then! Thanks for the tip. Maybe one day, I'll have that lightbulb moment with the 5th as I really do like many of the ideas within that symphony.

[SurprisedByBeauty]

You're welcome, Jens. I'm not sure why Válek doesn't do it for me as it's been quite some time since I've heard any of his performances, but I remember thinking he was no better than Arthur Fagen (another cycle that wasn't very distinctive or unique).

Oh, I think Fagen is extremely unique and, strictly in that sense, distinctive. Whether it's any good is another question. Which I've also seen answered in wildly varying ways. 
It's also very, very different, interpretatively, from Válek... much more symphonic, smooth, Western European. (Which is perhaps ironic, given his Orchestra.)

[Mirror Image]

Oh, I think Fagen is extremely unique and, strictly in that sense, distinctive. Whether it's any good is another question. Which I've also seen answered in wildly varying ways. 
It's also very, very different, interpretatively, from Válek... much more symphonic, smooth, Western European. (Which is perhaps ironic, given his Orchestra.)

I don't actually own the Fagen cycle, but I heard one or two symphony performances from it years ago and wasn't really impressed either performance. I think the problem early on was I was spoilt by having Bělohlávek's early Chandos performances, the Neumann cycle, the Thomson cycle, and Turnovský in the 4th. And when I finally got around to buying the Järvi, I had a much better idea of the music as I wasn't a newcomer any longer. Järvi's performances really impressed me for their rhythmic vitality and general excitement, but he also was able to bring out certain phrases that sounded right to me. I thought he was especially impressive in the slow movements (in particular, Symphonies Nos. 1, 2, 3, & 5). I wish I could enjoy Bělohlávek's BBC cycle more than I do and I don't want to open that can of worms again (I argued with Dancing Divertmentian about this for several pages). I may have to go back and listen to this cycle again to see if my opinion has softened.