Martinu: Symphonies 1 & 2

On this CD:

1. Symphony No. 1, H. 289
Composed by Bohuslav Martinu
Performed by Berlin Symphony Orchestra with Bernd Casper
Conducted by Claus Peter Flor

2. Symphony No. 2, H. 295
Composed by Bohuslav Martinu
Performed by Berlin Symphony Orchestra with Bernd Casper
Conducted by Claus Peter Flor

Tracks:

I. Moderato-Poco Piu Mosso
II. Scherzo. Allegro-Trio. Poco Moderato
III. Largo
IV. Allegro Non Troppo
I. Adagio-Allegro
II. Larghetto
III. Lento-Allegro

Tracks:

I. Allegro Moderato
II. Andante Moderato
III. Poco Allegro
IV. Allegro
I. Lento-Andante Moderato-Allegro-Lento
II. Poco Allegro
III. Lento-Poco Vivo: Adagio-Allegro-Allegro Vivace-Lento

Tracks:

I. Allegro Poco Moderato
II. Largo
III. Allegro-Andante
I. Poco Moderato
II. Allegro Vivo-Trio. Moderato-Allegro Vivo
III. Largo
IV. Poco Allegro

Amazon.com

Martinu's blend of the neo-classic and Romantic in his symphonies is fascinating listening. All six works have solid musical interest, and several are truly outstanding. The Third, a response to the carnage of World War II, with a muted, almost anti-climactic ending is moving; the optimistic Fourth, with its radiant Largo, is among his finest, and the energetic Fifth make his "war" symphonies unmissable. The Sixth, subtitled "Fantaises symphoniques") is remarkable in its free form but coherent approach. The first two symphonies are notable for their handling of orchestral sonorities and his typical rhythmic inventiveness and energy. While one's instinct is to favor conductors and orchestras from Martinu's native Czechoslovakia, Thomson and his Scottish band play with an idiomatic tang and drive that makes this the preferred complete symphony cycle. The orchestra's biting brass, colorful winds, and exuberant strings are first-rate. Thomson's firm grip on Martinu's elusive style means that even his interpretive liberties are convincing, like his flowing tempo for the Third's Largo movement which is usually taken much more slowly. He builds Martinu's symphonic frameworks so that however wayward they may appear at first, they wind up making sense. Other performances of some symphonies may have an edge, like Ancerl's near-miraculous Fifth and Sixth, but with its excellent sonics, playing, and conducting, this one sweeps the boards. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

An unexpected gem.......2006-01-13

This has been my record find of the past few years. I've been raised on the Ancerl, Neumann and Belohlavek versions, all fine performances dead centre in the Czech tradition with Czech orchestras. Czech recordings too, at Supraphon studios or Prague Castle, venues with long reverberation times that give a thrilling sheen to the strings, but tend to mush the inner voices. Bryden Thomson and the Scottish National playing Martinu? Bax for sure, but not Martinu. Nevertheless, when these cds reappeared on the Chandos mid-price label I took the plunge, and a great move that turned out to be. Thomson and his orchestra bring out the singing beauty of these works, the rhythmic vitality, but far more than that. Inner voices are clear for the first time in my experience, and Thomson has a far clearer grasp of the architecture of these works than any of his predecessors. I have the 4th Symphony in five different versions going back to Turnovsky, and although each performance offers one or two details that outshine the others, overall Thomson's is by fair margin the best. The recording is good, if a little over-bright, in the Chandos tradition. Too bad the British music press, who tend to go overboard in their support of domestic performers, were a touch lukewarm in their original assessment of these recordings. Perhaps even more than his Bax cycle, they are the jewels of Thomson's musical legacy.

Martinu: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 6 ("Fantaisies symphoniques")

Average customer rating:

Mark is right
To be avoided
An excellent recording!

Martinu: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 6 ("Fantaisies symphoniques")

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Martinu: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 4

ASIN: B0000014DH
Release Date: 2000-10-05

Tracks:

Symphony No. 1: Moderato
Symphony No. 1: Allegro - Poco moderato - Allegro come prima
Symphony No. 1: Largo
Symphony No. 1: Allegro non troppo
Symphony No.6 'Fantaisies symphoniques': Lento - Allegro - Lento
Symphony No.6 'Fantaisies symphoniques': Poco allegro
Symphony No.6 'Fantaisies symphoniques': Lento - Poco vivo adagio - Andante - Moderato - Allegro Vivace - Lento

Customer Reviews:

Mark is right.......2006-12-03

If you've never heard any Martinu before, this set might pass for current. I can't think of any other way it would. It's a hideous performance. If you love Martinu's music, or even if you just mildly like it, avoid this recording. Bad performances can often be revelatory. I heard a live performance of Mahler's seventh once that stumbled over every transition. But I learned more about that symphony's structure from that gawky concert than I ever had from Bernstein's near perfect recording. I'm afraid, however, that the only thing this Martinu disc reveals is how badly Mr. Fagen conducts, in this performance at least.

To be avoided.......2006-01-14

Naxos has provided some excellent orchestral recordings in the past where low price is no indication of quality. Their Martinu cycle is unfortunately not one of them, and it is surprising the performances were passed for issue. Newcomers to the music would get little idea of it from these discs. In other recorded performances the orchestra has be shown as a good one, but something has gone badly wrong here. This is quite a serious matter as Naxos may often be bought by listeners wanting an introduction to music they don't know. Naxos should delete this set and try again.

At a similar price, an excellent performance of Symphony No 6, with the ST Gallen Orchestra conducted by Jiri Kout, is available on the Arte Nova label. It has interesting couplings of other Martinu works.

An excellent recording!.......1998-12-15

This CD is worth three times the price. The sound quality is superb, the strings shimmering, the ensemble excellent, and the music inspiring! Martinu is the most underrated composer of this century. An excellent and inventive composer, he knows how to put it all together. You won't be disappointed by the music or the quality of the recording. A terrific bargain!

Average customer rating:

Very Satisfying Disc

Martinu: Symphonies 1 & 2

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000E6KR
Release Date: 1990-10-19

Customer Reviews:

Very Satisfying Disc.......2003-10-05

I'm surprised that the pairing of Martinu's Symphonies #1&2 is not more common, because they go together wonderfully to create a satisfying 60 minute listening experience. The performances are good, but the recording job could be a little better, but is still good enough for me. If you're interested in getting acquainted with Martinu's exhuberant work, this is a great place to start!

Bohuslav Martinu: Symphonies No. 1 & No. 2 - Bamberg Symphony / Neeme Järvi

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Bohuslav Martinu: Symphonies No. 1 & No. 2 - Bamberg Symphony / Neeme Järvi
Bohuslav Martinu , Neeme Järvi , and Bamberg Symphony
Manufacturer: Bis
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Bohuslav Martinu: Symphonies No. 3 & No. 4 - Bamberg Symphony / Neeme Järvi

ASIN: B0000016DH
Release Date: 1994-03-25

Tracks:

Moderato
Allegro
Largo
Allegro Non Troppo
Allegro Moderato
Andante Moderato
Poco Allegro
Allegro

Average customer rating:

First-Rate

Martinu: Complete Symphonies

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000000AQD
Release Date: 1993-07-12

Tracks:

Symphony No.1: I. Moderato - Poco piu mosso - B. Martinu
Symphony No.1: II. Scherzo: Allegro - Trio: Poco moderato - B. Martinu
Symphony No.1: III. Largo - B. Martinu
Symphony No.1: IV. Allegro non troppo - B. Martinu
Symphony No.5: I. Adagio - Allegro - B. Martinu
Symphony No.5: II. Larghetto - B. Martinu
Symphony No.5: III. Lento - Allegro - B. Martinu

Tracks:

Symphony No.2: I. Allegro moderato - B. Martinu
Symphony No.2: II. Andante moderato - B. Martinu
Symphony No.2: III. Poco allegro - B. Martinu
Symphony No.2: IV. Allegro - B. Martinu
Symphony No.6. (Fantaisies Symphoniques): I. Lento - Andante mode rato - Allegro - Lento - B. Martinu
Symphony No.6. (Fantaisies Symphoniques): II. Poco Allegro - B. Martinu
Symphony No.6. (Fantaisies Symphoniques): III. Lento-Poco vivo: adagio - Allegro - Allegro vivace - Lento - B. Martinu

Tracks:

Symphony No.3: I. Allegro poco moderato - Bohuslav Martinu
Symphony No.3: II. Largo - Bohuslav Martinu
Symphony No.3: III. Allegro - Andante - Bohuslav Martinu
Symphony No.4: I. Poco moderato - Bohuslav Martinu
Symphony No.4: II. Allegro vivo - Trio: Moderato - Allegro vivo - Bohuslav Martinu
Symphony No.4: III. Largo - Bohuslav Martinu
Symphony No.4: IV. Poco allegro - Bohuslav Martinu

Amazon.com

These six symphonies deserve a place in everyone's record collection. If you like modern, melodic symphonies--Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Vaughan Williams, or Copland, for instance--then these luminous, attractive scores are just the ticket. All were composed right here in the good old USA and premiered by our greatest orchestras. Martinu's refusal to return to Communist Czechoslovakia after the Second World War led to his neglect for years in his own country, and this in turn contributed to his obscurity in the years immediately following his death in 1959. Now he seems to be coming into his own, and these three magnificently played and recorded discs are a great way to take the plunge. - -David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

First-Rate.......2003-12-01

This is an excellent set of recordings of the Martinu symphonies. Martinu's orchestral work is both lovely and fascinating. There is much beautiful, lyrical music in these symphonies and Martinu's ability to bring forth unexpected and wholly satisfactory turns in the music is simply remarkable. Very satisfying listening and this complete set is an excellent way to experience some of Martinu's best work.

Average customer rating:

Bohuslav Martinu: Symphonies 1 & 5

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000000AM2
Release Date: 1992-10-28

Tracks:

Sym No 1: I Moderato - Poco piu mosso
Sym No 1: II Scherzo: Allegro - Trio: Poco moderato
Sym No 1: III Largo
Sym No 1: IV Allegro non troppo
Sym No 5: I Adagio - Allegro
Sym No 5: II Larghetto
Sym No 5: III Lento - Allegro

Average customer rating:

Martinu: Symphonies 1,3,5

Manufacturer: Multisonic Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000K2U1
Release Date: 1995-12-20

Customer Reviews:

Wow.......2001-05-23

The performance of the first symphony alone is enough to warrant purchase of this disc.

The music of Martinu is wonderful stuff--tuneful, rhythmic, bracing. Take I of Symphony 1: the opening itself is overwhelming, with flourishes of rising scales, written in such a way as to give the impression that the music will continue forever. And I certainly want it to!

The performances are outstanding. The orchestra plays as if possessed, and Ancerl is an outstanding interpreter and advocate of Martinu's wonderful scores. In comparison to Neumann's complete, if better recorded (and in more modern sound)set, these performances are on fire whereas Neumann more or less presents the music. Neumann's set is certainly nothing to sneeze at: it is very good, but Ancerl is downright special.

The sound is mono, but clear. The music-making is well-transmitted. Worth waiting for/searching out.

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