Bohuslav Martinů (1890-1959)

[Brian]

The Flor cycle was late 80s East German production, maybe orchestra defected before they could finish.

If you have time maybe you could write a bit about all Martinu symphony recordings. Once I was curious how many stand alone (non cycle/aborted cycle) recordings of various symphonies there are, and came up with not more than about twenty, of which only about dozen studio.

1 ancerl, weller
2 p.jarvi
3 neumann, ancerl, sejna
4 turnovsky, kubelik, tennstedt, weller (x2), ansermet, belohlavek
5 ancerl (x3), whitney, trhlik
6 munch (x2) ancerl, neumann, kout

It amazes me that No. 2 is the least recorded of the symphonies, since it is the cheeriest and arguably most "populist" - also the most resembling a true meeting of American and Czech musical styles. If any of the symphonies were to become a concert hall favorite (vs. a GMG favorite or a performers'), I would guess the Second; indeed, it's still one of mine (just behind No. 4).

[Brian]

I haven't heard any of the other SQ recordings, but now you're tempting me, DD!

Naxos also has a great series of cello sonatas, piano quintets, flute chamber music, and other delightful works.

[Karl Henning]

Naxos also has a great series of cello sonatas, piano quintets, flute chamber music, and other delightful works.

I can certainly vouch for the piano quintets.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Piano Trio No. 2, H. 327
Piano Trio No. 3, H. 332

Who do you like in the piano trios?

[Mirror Image]

Naxos also has a great series of cello sonatas, piano quintets, flute chamber music, and other delightful works.

I've got the Naxos recording of the piano quintets. For the cello sonatas, I have Steven Isserlis and Peter Evans, but I enjoyed their recording so much that I haven't bothered looking for any other performances. There's many fine recordings of Martinu's chamber music not just limited to the Naxos label. Whoops! Scratch that last part out in case 71 dB reads it.

[SurprisedByBeauty]

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#morninglistening to #Martinů w/@CRozhlas:http://a-fwd.to/22LrcO5 on @supraphonCZ. A @surp... http://ift.tt/2mEqMSB

#morninglistening to #Martinů w/@BBCSO:http://a-fwd.to/7obrG8  @surprisedbeauty composer #M... http://ift.tt/2n9Dq7v

[SurprisedByBeauty]

It amazes me that No. 2 is the least recorded of the symphonies, since it is the cheeriest and arguably most "populist" - also the most resembling a true meeting of American and Czech musical styles. If any of the symphonies were to become a concert hall favorite (vs. a GMG favorite or a performers'), I would guess the Second; indeed, it's still one of mine (just behind No. 4).

Also: Rozhdestvensky recorded 2, 3, 5 & 6 (oop) - but not 1 & 4, I think. From broadcasts there's also a Valek 6th. To my surprise: Ansermet has recorded the Fourth! (Oh, right, we've covered that above.)
Trhlik seems to have recorded not just the 5th but also the 4th.
In any case. Wow. How many major composers are there - and Martinu is surely among the minor major composers - where we can actually count all the recordings of the symphonies with relative ease.

[Brian]

Who do you like in the piano trios?

NOT the Naxos recording - a rare dud (on the level of technical playing skills). I haven't heard any others, though.

[Brian]

I've got the Naxos recording of the piano quintets. For the cello sonatas, I have Steven Isserlis and Peter Evans, but I enjoyed their recording so much that I haven't bothered looking for any other performances. There's many fine recordings of Martinu's chamber music not just limited to the Naxos label. Whoops! Scratch that last part out in case 71 dB reads it.

I have a cool cello sonata CD where Steven Isserlis "remade" his recording, along with Sibelius' "Malinconia" and a brand-new sonata by the pianist, Olli Mustonen. Really enjoy all that music.

[North Star]

I have a cool cello sonata CD where Steven Isserlis "remade" his recording, along with Sibelius' "Malinconia" and a brand-new sonata by the pianist, Olli Mustonen. Really enjoy all that music.

And I have this one (review by Bruce) - good stuff. Should revisit it, actually.

[asin]B004IWQWP8[/asin]

[Spineur]

I have a cool cello sonata CD where Steven Isserlis "remade" his recording, along with Sibelius' "Malinconia" and a brand-new sonata by the pianist, Olli Mustonen. Really enjoy all that music.

I bought it too and enjoys the Mustonen and Malinconia breaks in between.  Actually, in the cello repertoire, Martinu sonatas do not stand out as for example the Kodaly solo sonata.  Nice but not prime Martinu.

[North Star]

Actually, in the cello repertoire, Martinu sonatas do not stand out as for example the Kodaly solo sonata.  Nice but not prime Martinu.

To be fair, not many works stand out like the Kodály!

[Camphy]

Who do you like in the piano trios?

This one is excellent:

[Mirror Image]

This one is excellent:

That's the one I own. I haven't heard it (yet). I've heard it's quite good, though.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

NOT the Naxos recording - a rare dud (on the level of technical playing skills). I haven't heard any others, though.

Cool, thanks, Brian.

This one is excellent:

Awesome! I'll check it out. Thanks.

[Turner]

Martinu: Cello works / Vandra, Goez  / Opus CD

I really like the superb Accent recording of the cello sonatas with Dieltiens & Groslot.

So this one looked interesting - 77 min, with 4 lesser known cycles for cello &  piano - 6 Pastorales, 4 Nocturnes, Suite Miniature & 7 Arabesques.
Unfortunately, it is not very well played, which doesn´t add to the appeal of some rather plain, and seemingly boring works.

Not recommended, only for die-hard completists - and other recordings are probably better.

[Brian]

Listening to the Naxos recording of the Nocturnes & Pastorales for cello and piano as we speak. It's well played, but these are well out of the way, as far as Martinu works go. Nice lyrical moments and charming enough, and some of the individual pieces are quite nice (Pastorale No. 5) but nothing essential - I doubt I'd seek multiple recordings.

These are much more conventionally romantic and less energetic than the typical Martinu.

[Parsifal]

Listening to the Naxos recording of the Nocturnes & Pastorales for cello and piano as we speak. It's well played, but these are well out of the way, as far as Martinu works go. Nice lyrical moments and charming enough, and some of the individual pieces are quite nice (Pastorale No. 5) but nothing essential - I doubt I'd seek multiple recordings.

These are much more conventionally romantic and less energetic than the typical Martinu.

Maybe you're saying that because of a lack-luster performance. Just sayin'.

[Brian]

Maybe you're saying that because of a lack-luster performance. Just sayin'.

That is also true. I'll try again when Queyras records it!

[snyprrr]

I am singularly not a fan of BM's Cello Sonatas,... love the Piano Trios. I have the Angell on ASV as compare. And then the Duo for violin and cello, and then the mature Sextet. But, not so much on the Violin Music, or the Piano Music. The mature Piano Quintet, yes, much of what lies around it, eh.

And I could never get into his String Quartets, even the last one. Yea, I don't know what's up with that...


Anyhow, alas, now just another Composer that Stravinsky is ruining for me, lol ...