Bohuslav Martinů (1890-1959)

[cilgwyn]

The Supraphon boxed set of Neumann's Martinu cycle arrived by post,this morning. I haven't heard it since I was a youngster. I loved it then! I can't wait to open the box!

[vandermolen]

The Supraphon boxed set of Neumann's Martinu cycle arrived by post,this morning. I haven't heard it since I was a youngster. I loved it then! I can't wait to open the box!

Possibly the best all-round cycle. I liked the old alien type cover art from the old set. Turnovsky remains my favourite in Symphony No.4.

[cilgwyn]

Yes,I remember how the original Lp sleeves caught my attention in the record racks in my local library,as an impressionable teenager......back in the late 70's,early 80's,I think?! Supraphon released the cycle in a boxed set,with very dull artwork indeed. No spacey heads on the front. I think I just bought it because it was cheaper,and probably on offer. I still enjoyed the music,though;as I should! The 'Inventions' aren't included with this box. I used to like those;but I don't mind as I like to be able to focus on the symphonies,themselves. I notice they are on a separately released cd,if you want them that much! Nice that recording labels are beginning to realise just how important original cover art is to collectors. In the case of the Martinu symphonies,the alien heads do seem to go well with the strange,almost hallucinatory colours and textures evokes by Martinu's orchestration. Of course,that may be just the nostalgia evoked by the artwork,but I keep picking up the Supraphon box and.........erm,well,you know......coveting it!!!

I also rather like the 'artwork' on the Bis/Jarvi set. I mean,the individual cd releases,not the boxed set! This is the only cycle I have had for the last decade,or so. I think they are very good performances;and let's face it,as an Estonian,Jarvi must have some empathy with the tragedy that inspired some of Martinu's greatest scores. The recordings also benefit from spectacular recordings. There is one particularly explosive moment in the Sixth,which is sonically very exciting indeed! On the downside,they are a little 'boomy' at times. Which leads me straight on to the Neumann/Supraphon cycle,which,as one reviewer observed,sounds even better than ever! In fact,after my ears adjusted to the difference in sound quality (to the Bis set) I started to think how amazingly good these old analogue recordings sound! In fact,to my ears,they have aged remarkably well,and the remastering is superb. Although,to be fair,I always thought the original Lp's sounded pretty good! (The pressings probably let them down!)
As to the performances themselves........there is an intensity and fervour to the music making here,a sense of mystery,excitement,joy and overwhelming tragedy (at various times!) which marks this set out. This will certainly be my choice for a Martinu cycle from now on,as it indeed was in my Lp collecting days. Not that Jarvi should feel too bad. This was a pioneering cycle and I don't think he,or anyone else could be expected to equal that......but this is the cycle I am going to want to listen to most. That said,I admit I do admire Neumann's work as a conductor. I think he is very underrated. For example,I bought his recording of Dvorak's symphonic poems a while back. It barely warrants a mention in reviews of recordings of these works or message posts,but it is one of my favourites now. His Mahler sounds intriguing,too;but my bank balance won't allow it! And yes,the Fifth is usually cheap to buy secondhand;but if I like it I'm going to have an overwhelming urge to buy the rest,aren't I?!!

By the way,much as I love Martinu at his best,some of his music seems to go in one year and out the other. The Supraphon set of the Piano Concertos was,for me at least,a crashing disappointment.....and I really DID try!! On the other hand,'The Miracle of our Lady' which often gets dismissed by Martinu enthusiasts has long been a favourite of mine,every since I heard a broadcast of it on R3,back in the 80's,I believe? I have the Supraphon set and I think the performances on it are superb.

[cilgwyn]

Incidentally,what are your favourite orchestral works by Martinu,other than the symphonies?

[Brian]

Incidentally,what are your favourite orchestral works by Martinu,other than the symphonies?

The Double Violin Concerto (a delightful neo-baroque confection written for my hometown Dallas Symphony), Violin Concerto No. 2 (in a grander tradition), and songs for voice and orchestra, e.g. Nipponari. I have yet to hear Špalíček but it's supposed to be wonderful. And finally, the Toccata label released a CD of the composer's very early works, from when he was heavily influenced by French impressionism and composers like Debussy. "Bohemian impressionism" turns out to be a delight.

[Dax]

Not fully orchestral, but the Concerto for 2 string orchestras. piano and timps.

In recent times, the old Czech Phil/Karel Sejna Supraphon recording has appeared on youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOLuvmOLiHA

[Drasko]

Incidentally,what are your favourite orchestral works by Martinu,other than the symphonies?

Les Fresques de Piero della Francesca
The Parables
Double Concerto for Two String Orchestras, Piano, and Timpani
Toccata e Due Canzoni

[Mirror Image]

Les Fresques de Piero della Francesca
The Parables
Double Concerto for Two String Orchestras, Piano, and Timpani
Toccata e Due Canzoni

+ 1

I love all of these as well.

[vandermolen]

Les Fresques de Piero della Francesca
The Parables
Double Concerto for Two String Orchestras, Piano, and Timpani
Toccata e Due Canzoni

Don't know the last one but I agree that the other ones are great so +1 from me. Also I like the Memorial to Lidice.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Les Fresques de Piero della Francesca
The Parables
Double Concerto for Two String Orchestras, Piano, and Timpani
Toccata e Due Canzoni

Yes, this makes a fine "greatest hits" collection.

[vandermolen]

Yes,I remember how the original Lp sleeves caught my attention in the record racks in my local library,as an impressionable teenager......back in the late 70's,early 80's,I think?! Supraphon released the cycle in a boxed set,with very dull artwork indeed. No spacey heads on the front. I think I just bought it because it was cheaper,and probably on offer. I still enjoyed the music,though;as I should! The 'Inventions' aren't included with this box. I used to like those;but I don't mind as I like to be able to focus on the symphonies,themselves. I notice they are on a separately released cd,if you want them that much! Nice that recording labels are beginning to realise just how important original cover art is to collectors. In the case of the Martinu symphonies,the alien heads do seem to go well with the strange,almost hallucinatory colours and textures evokes by Martinu's orchestration. Of course,that may be just the nostalgia evoked by the artwork,but I keep picking up the Supraphon box and.........erm,well,you know......coveting it!!!

I also rather like the 'artwork' on the Bis/Jarvi set. I mean,the individual cd releases,not the boxed set! This is the only cycle I have had for the last decade,or so. I think they are very good performances;and let's face it,as an Estonian,Jarvi must have some empathy with the tragedy that inspired some of Martinu's greatest scores. The recordings also benefit from spectacular recordings. There is one particularly explosive moment in the Sixth,which is sonically very exciting indeed! On the downside,they are a little 'boomy' at times. Which leads me straight on to the Neumann/Supraphon cycle,which,as one reviewer observed,sounds even better than ever! In fact,after my ears adjusted to the difference in sound quality (to the Bis set) I started to think how amazingly good these old analogue recordings sound! In fact,to my ears,they have aged remarkably well,and the remastering is superb. Although,to be fair,I always thought the original Lp's sounded pretty good! (The pressings probably let them down!)
As to the performances themselves........there is an intensity and fervour to the music making here,a sense of mystery,excitement,joy and overwhelming tragedy (at various times!) which marks this set out. This will certainly be my choice for a Martinu cycle from now on,as it indeed was in my Lp collecting days. Not that Jarvi should feel too bad. This was a pioneering cycle and I don't think he,or anyone else could be expected to equal that......but this is the cycle I am going to want to listen to most. That said,I admit I do admire Neumann's work as a conductor. I think he is very underrated. For example,I bought his recording of Dvorak's symphonic poems a while back. It barely warrants a mention in reviews of recordings of these works or message posts,but it is one of my favourites now. His Mahler sounds intriguing,too;but my bank balance won't allow it! And yes,the Fifth is usually cheap to buy secondhand;but if I like it I'm going to have an overwhelming urge to buy the rest,aren't I?!!

By the way,much as I love Martinu at his best,some of his music seems to go in one year and out the other. The Supraphon set of the Piano Concertos was,for me at least,a crashing disappointment.....and I really DID try!! On the other hand,'The Miracle of our Lady' which often gets dismissed by Martinu enthusiasts has long been a favourite of mine,every since I heard a broadcast of it on R3,back in the 80's,I believe? I have the Supraphon set and I think the performances on it are superb.

Just noticed this interesting post. I haven't listened to any LPs for decades and not even sure that my old Dual turntable with its Ortofen stylus still functions but I can see why vinyl is making a sort-of recovery and there was a tactile enjoyment of that format which is missing from CDs + of course the sleeve design and perhaps a greater warmth of sound quality. It is mainly pop music I think which has seen a vinyl renaissance; I did however notice that Richard Hickox's wonderful performance of Vaughan Williams's 'A London Symphony' has been released by Chandos on LP.

Back to Martinu - I also like the Bryden Thomson symphony cycle which my brother gave me as a birthday present some years ago.

[Karl Henning]

Back to Martinu - I also like the Bryden Thomson symphony cycle which my brother gave me as a birthday present some years ago.

Yes, that is a set I need to spend some more time with.

[Daverz]

Martinu downloads at Supraphonline:

http://www.supraphonline.cz/umelec/165-bohuslav-martinu

I did not see the Thunderbolt CD, though.

[Mirror Image]

Incidentally,what are your favourite orchestral works by Martinu,other than the symphonies?

Here are 10 of my favorites (incl. song cycles with orchestra) in no particular order:

Concerto for Double String Orchestra, Piano, and Timpani
Nipponari
Magic Nights
Piano Concerto No. 4 "Incantations"
Oboe Concerto
Sinfonietta La Jolla
The Frescoes of Piero della Francesca
The Parables
Estampes
On Tourne

[vandermolen]

Here are 10 of my favorites (incl. song cycles with orchestra) in no particular order:

Concerto for Double String Orchestra, Piano, and Timpani
Nipponari
Magic Nights
Piano Concerto No. 4 "Incantations"
Oboe Concerto
Sinfonietta La Jolla
The Frescoes of Piero della Francesca
The Parables
Estampes
On Tourne

Very much agree although I don't know the first two or the last one.

[cilgwyn]

Here are 10 of my favorites (incl. song cycles with orchestra) in no particular order:

Concerto for Double String Orchestra, Piano, and Timpani
Nipponari
Magic Nights
Piano Concerto No. 4 "Incantations"
Oboe Concerto
Sinfonietta La Jolla
The Frescoes of Piero della Francesca
The Parables
Estampes
On Tourne

Right! Those are going on my 'list'. Although,I think I would prefer to collect the Fourth Piano Concerto on it's own. I was disappointed by the Supraphon set. Not that the music was unpleasant. I just got the feeling that Martinu was on 'auto pilot'. In one ear out the other. I really did want to like them,too!!
What about Špalíček? It sounds very intriguing;but does it live up to expectations? Of course it includes allot of singing,apparently,so it doesn't really fit here.......but I am curious!!

[Mirror Image]

Very much agree although I don't know the first two or the last one.

On Tourne is really a delightful work. Hogwood has a performance of it on Supraphon and it's paired with the 'Paris' ballets: Le Raid merveilleux and La Revue de Cuisine. If you don't own that recording, I highly recommend checking it out.

[Mirror Image]

Right! Those are going on my 'list'. Although,I think I would prefer to collect the Fourth Piano Concerto on it's own. I was disappointed by the Supraphon set. Not that the music was unpleasant. I just got the feeling that Martinu was on 'auto pilot'. In one ear out the other. I really did want to like them,too!!
What about Špalíček? It sounds very intriguing;but does it live up to expectations? Of course it includes allot of singing,apparently,so it doesn't really fit here.......but I am curious!!

I'm not too fond of Martinu's PCs, but the 4th stood out to me. Špalíček is a good work, although I prefer it's discmate The Spectre's Bride much more. I think Špalíček is a bit overlong with not enough memorable material. It's nice to revisit maybe once a year (if even then).

[Daverz]

If you don't want the whole thing, Mackerass did a very nice Spalicek Suite on Conifer, with the Double Concerto (the Double Concerto to have is Šejna's, though.)

[asin]B0000024CW[/asin]

Of,course the idiots can't get their own artwork to embed. 

The Šejna Double Concero can be downloaded from

http://www.supraphonline.cz/album/978-martinu-dvorak-dvojkoncert-symfonie-c-3-suita-a-dur

It's in very vivid early stereo.

[Mirror Image]

If you don't want the whole thing, Mackerass Mackerras did a very nice Spalicek Suite on Conifer, with the Double Concerto (the Double Concerto to have is Šejna's, though.)

Corrected.