Bohuslav Martinů (1890-1959)

[karlhenning]

BTW, a great great twofer is the Hyperion set of chamber music with the Nonet, the various 'Madrigal' pieces and so on. Again, in the Nonet, we have that late, rustic Martinu of the late cantatas, but married to the more concert-hall instrumental writing of the symphonies, say. It's a marvellous piece, that Nonet - my favourite Martinu chamber work, I think.

Thank you for this suggestion, Luke!

[Mirror Image]

Could you please say a few words about that recording of Spalicek and some other works? This is a part of M's output that I'm not familiar with.

I actually still haven't properly listened to Spalicek. It seems everytime I want to start listening to it I get distracted by something I would rather hear instead. I will let you know when I hear this piece.

How do these works compare to the cantatas on the "companion disc" (Mount of Three Lights etc.)? Are they similar in style?

I haven't heard the disc with Mount of Three Lights, so I obviously can't do any comparing.

As far as the disc with Magic Nights, Czech Rhapsody, and Nipponari, this is a great recording of some seldom heard Martinu works. All three works are amazingly beautiful. Nipponari and Magic Nights both have an impressionistic feel to them, which shows a very personal side to Martinu perhaps the same kind of side that is revealed on that Opening of the Wells recording that has been mentioned in the earlier posts above.

Czech Rhapsody is work cut from a very different cloth than the prior works I mentioned. This is a powerful nationalistic work that has some stunning orchestral sections. There isn't much singing in this work, but the chorus and soloist parts written for this piece don't distract and only add to it's uplifting spirit.

You should definitely checkout this recording sometime.

[Lethevich]

It looks as if the Nipponari disc is becoming a future buy for me. I recall Gramophone (or maybe something else) underlining the fact that the works on the disc were minor, even if enjoyable, but I love Martinu's impressionist phase - especially the first string quartet - and it sounds like the disc would be perfect for anybody looking for more of this

[Dancing Divertimentian]

All kinds of great Martinu barely touched on in this thread. I, too, lament the dearth of references to such great works as the operas, the string quartets, the violin sonatas, the cello sonatas, etc...

Not to slight - at all!! - all the great great stuff mentioned lately (I love it too!) but just for the sake of balance it's important to remember that Martinu was one of the great all-rounders of the musical world - and not just the 20th c. 

By all means listen to whatever Martinu tickles your fancy (why wouldn't you? ) but don't let the "other" side of Martinu (opera, chamber) slip by without at least some day giving it a try.

Yeah, I've been beating this drum since this thread's inception but out of fear I'm inclined to keep rehashing it all just to keep it fresh, as it were.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Yeah, I've been beating this drum since this thread's inception but out of fear I'm inclined to keep rehashing it all just to keep it fresh, as it were.

Well it's a sensible drum to beat    Problem is, there really isn't yet a consensus as to what pieces constitute the best Martinu, although one seems to be developing around the symphonies and a few of the other orchestral works (Frescoes, the Double Cto., maybe one or two other pieces).

I constantly find wonderful things in that great catalogue of obscure works. Things like:

The wonderful "starry night" slow movement of the Sinfonietta La Jolla; the weird proto-minimalism of Toccata e due canzoni; the perky Haydn imitations of the Sinfonia concertante; the serious, quasi-Brahmsian meditations of the 3rd Piano Concerto; the moving hymn that ends Mount of Three Lights; the chilling Bartokian 5th String Quartet; the fizzy hallucinations of the 4th Piano Concerto; the sassy humor of La Revue de Cuisine...I could go on, but I think I'll stop there...y'know, Dvorak and Janacek were great composers, but I don't think they had anything like Martinu's range.

[Mirror Image]

Dvorak and Janacek were great composers, but I don't think they had anything like Martinu's range.

Alot of this had to do with what Martinu was exposed to from traveling from country to country so much almost leading a nomadic existence. Martinu was influenced by impressionism, neoclassicism, and jazz. All this melded together forms a very unique sound and not to mention he was coming from a Czech angle in his music, which because of this he was seen as the most important Czech composer after Janacek.

I'm well aware of all his different phases, but as quirky as he sometimes could be he always retained his own unique style. It's totally up to the listener to decide what phase of his output they would like to explore, but whatever it may be, there's something for everybody to enjoy.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Well it's a sensible drum to beat    Problem is, there really isn't yet a consensus as to what pieces constitute the best Martinu, although one seems to be developing around the symphonies and a few of the other orchestral works (Frescoes, the Double Cto., maybe one or two other pieces).

That's a great "who's who" of Martinu pieces. Yes, the symphonies, Double Concerto, etc... (even the Oboe concerto, maybe).

A couple of works that resonate on the same level for me are Julietta and Gilgamesh. In fact, I might go so far as to say that Julietta actually belongs at the top of the heap of great Martinu. I base that on two things: its wealth of coloristic effects, and its broad, multi-layered texturing. All in all the piece is a great coming-together of all of the best from Martinu and the result is a work of extraordinary lucidity.

Which is why I go on so much about its neglect...

...y'know, Dvorak and Janacek were great composers, but I don't think they had anything like Martinu's range.

Good point. Which means of course that there's a ton of Martinu to explore.

[Luke]

In fact, I might go so far as to say that Julietta actually belongs at the top of the heap of great Martinu.

That would be the view of most Martinu specialists too, I think - it's his masterpiece, really, if there has to be only one. For those who don't fancy exploring his operas and would rather keep it orchestral, there's always this disc:



which is a real trip (and is in my select pile of CDs-to-take-on-holiday this year!), but the full-length piece surely must be heard by anyone who loves Martinu:



(cover art remind you of anyone, Don?  )

[Lethevich]

I can't believe I forgot aout this - I only listened to it a month ago. It's a really beautifully produced and presented disc.

[mjwal]

I haven't heard the Mackerras Juliette fragments, but am curious. I have tried to listen to the whole opera on the radio a couple of times but not really succeeded in grasping it. I suppose I must study the libretto while listening, so I'll have to get that recording. The original play, by the way, (by the same author who wrote the text of Ariane, Georges Neveux) inspired a late and rather unknown film by Marcel Carné (Les Enfants du Paradis) with Gérard Philipe in the main role. Another CD I recommend - and a real bargain - is a collection on Arte Nova containing the 6th symphony, partly based on the music of Juliette, I believe; the orchestral suite from the opera (no voices); and the Fresques de Piero della Francesca, played by the Symphony Orchestra St. Gallen and conducted by Jiri Kout. These are killer performances, in my opinion, despite the complete non-celebrity of the orchestra.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

(cover art remind you of anyone, Don?  )

It does indeed, Luke! And no doubt that with such a great cover the music's gotta be great!

[Mirror Image]

Just bought the recording with Mackerras listed above and all of Christopher Hogwood/Czech Philharmonic recordings on Hyperion (there's four volumes in all). Can't wait to dive into these.

Has anyone heard Czech Rhapsody yet? All Martinu fans must hear this work. It is powerfully moving.

I love this from Sinfonietta La Jolla played here by the great Prague Chamber Orchestra:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPnKuIMQvp4

[Mirror Image]

Here's a little excerpt from Symphony No. 4 with Alan Gilbert with the Berlin Philharmonic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwfC73_eiuI

Nobody sounds like Martinu. He has such an individual voice.

[Luke]

Has anyone heard Czech Rhapsody yet? All Martinu fans must hear this work. It is powerfully moving.

Yes, I've  known it since I was a little boy - along with the Turnovsky 4th/Tre Ricercare it was the first Martinu I knew. But it never struck me a strongly - despite powerful moment it's rather episodic, I think, and it doesn't have the true Martinu voice just yet, which is, after all, the drug we're all seeking! 

[Mirror Image]

Yes, I've  known it since I was a little boy - along with the Turnovsky 4th/Tre Ricercare it was the first Martinu I knew. But it never struck me a strongly - despite powerful moment it's rather episodic, I think, and it doesn't have the true Martinu voice just yet, which is, after all, the drug we're all seeking! 

I am, of course, talking about the version written for voice, chorus, and orchestra. I have not heard the rearranged version of this work for violin and orchestra yet. Anyway, the performance I'm referring to is Belohlavek's on Supraphon. I think it's a beautiful piece. May not be stylistically Martinu's best, but it's still a great work with some fantastic orchestral writing.

[not edward]

I am, of course, talking about the version written for voice, chorus, and orchestra. I have not heard the rearranged version of this work for violin and orchestra yet. Anyway, the performance I'm referring to is Belohlavek's on Supraphon. I think it's a beautiful piece. May not be stylistically Martinu's best, but it's still a great work with some fantastic orchestral writing.

Actually, they're different works. The one on the Belohlavek disc is an early piece (1918?) and the one on the Matousek/Hogwood disc is an orchestral version (not by Martinu) of a 1945 violin/piano piece.

[Mirror Image]

Here is my current Martinu collection, which includes orders I have coming:

-Complete Symphonies, Vaclav Neumann, Czech Philharmonic, Supraphon
-Complete Symphonies, Neeme Jarvi, Bamberg Symphony, BIS
-Complete Symphonies, Bryden Thomson, Royal Scottish National, Chandos
-Complete Symphonies, Vladimir Valek, Prague Radio Symphony, Supraphon
-Piano Concertos, Jiri Belohlavek, Czech Philharmonic, Supraphon
-Sinfonietta la Jolla, Toccata e due Canzoni, Concerto Grosso, Prague Chamber Orch., Supraphon
-Complete Music for Violin & Orchestra, Vols. 1-4, Christopher Hogwood, Czech Philharmonic, Hyperion
-The Epic of Gilgamesh, Jiri Belohlavek, Prague Symphoy Orch., Supraphon
-Nipponari, Magic Nights, Czech Rhapsody, Jiri Belohlavek, Prague Symphony Orch., Supraphon
-Violin Concertos Nos. 1 & 2, Rhapsodie-Concerto for Violin & Orchestra, Neumann, Czech Phil., Supraphon
-Cello Concertos Nos. 1 & 2, Czech Philharmonic, Neumann, Supraphon
-Cello Concertos Nos. 1 & 2, Concertino, Belohlavek, Czech Philharmonic, Chandos
-Field Mass, Memorial to Lidice, Symphony No. 4, Belohlavek, Czech Philharmonic, Chandos
-Symphony No. 6, Janacek: Sinfonietta, Suk: Fantastick Scherzo, Belohvalek, Czech Philharmonic, Chandos
-Symphony No. 1, Double Concerto, Belohlavek, Czech Philharmonic, Chandos
-Three Fragments from the opera "Juliette," Mackerras, Czech Philharmonic, Supraphon
-Overture, Rhapsody, Sinfonia concertante, Concerto Grosso, Parables, Belohlavek, Czech Phil., Supraphon
-Symphonies 5 & 6, Memorial to Lidice, Ancerl, Czech Phil., Supraphon
-Les Fresques de Piero della Francesca, The Parables, Janacek: Sinfonietta, Ancerl, Czech Phil., Supraphon
-Spalicek, The Spectre's Bride, The Romance of the Dandelions, Belohlavek, Prague Radio Symp., Supraphon
-La Revue de cuisine, Sinfonietta la Jolla, Toccata e due canzoni, Hogwood, St. Paul Chamber Orch., Decca
-Piano Quintets Nos. 1 & 2, Martinu Quartet, Naxos

[Mirror Image]

Actually, they're different works. The one on the Belohlavek disc is an early piece (1918?) and the one on the Matousek/Hogwood disc is an orchestral version (not by Martinu) of a 1945 violin/piano piece.

Oh okay. Thanks for the correction.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Here is my current Martinu collection, which includes orders I have coming:

[many awesome discs snipped]

Wow that's a lot of good stuff  But I don't see the Nonet, or any of the string quartets, or the late "folk" cantatas,...so back to Amazon with you! 

[not edward]

I just wish this disc would be available at a non-obscene price some day: