Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra / Martinu: Memorial to Lidice / Klein: Partita for Strings [Hybrid SACD - DSD]

Bela Bartok (Composer), Gideon Klein (Composer), Bohuslav Martinu (Composer), Christoph Eschenbach (Conductor), Philadelphia Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Philadelphia Orchestra
• Conductor: Christoph Eschenbach
• Composer: Bela Bartok, Gideon Klein, Bohuslav Martinu
• Audio CD (November 15, 2005)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Hybrid SACD - DSD
• Label: Ondine
• ASIN: B000BLI36G
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #196,728 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars exemplary Martinu, interesting Bartok, February 1, 2008

By 

Kostas A. Lavdas (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra / Martinu: Memorial to Lidice / Klein: Partita for Strings (Audio CD)

Ondine's recent Philadelphia recordings under Christoph Eschenbach have been, on balance, superb if at times somewhat idiosyncratic. This CD is no exception. Bohuslav Martinu's moving elegy is given here its best reading on disc. The sound colors are just right and the atmosphere more than convincing. I was not familiar with Klein's piece before and I wouldn't have much to say. When it comes to Bartok, however, things get more complicated. The Concerto for Orchestra is, of course, easier to assess in a comparative perspective given the great number of recordings. I've always considered Chicago/Solti and Berliner/Karajan to be my favorite readings, for different reasons each. Eschenbach's approach seems uneven in comparison. It lacks the refinement of Karajan's reading without offering as much original insight as the Chicago/Solti disc. This is somewhat paradoxical if we consider other recent Phil/Eschenbach recordings. In contrast to their Saint Saëns 3rd, for example, which gets a brilliant reading, the Concerto for Orchestra is approached in a restrained manner, bordering occasionally on the understated. There is much that is of interest here, of course. Playing is taut and rich in tone without a hint of roughness, there are some wonderful woodwind passages and - predictably - the Philadelphia strings are just wonderful. Overall, I would strongly recommend this disc to collectors. Still, for those who just want to purchase their first Bartok, I think Chicago/Solti (Decca) might be a better idea.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great performance - OK recording, February 11, 2006

By 

Mark Knox - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra / Martinu: Memorial to Lidice / Klein: Partita for Strings (Audio CD)

The performance is outstanding (would one expect any less from the Philly Orchestra?) But, the recording is just a bit on the dark side. Can't put my finger on it, but something about it sounds "muted." Nontheless, I'm glad to have purchased this CD and hoping for more new recordings from one of the best orchestras on the planet.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Yeah, September 3, 2006

By 

ippysnak (houston, tx) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra / Martinu: Memorial to Lidice / Klein: Partita for Strings (Audio CD)

I agree with Mark. Something sounds muted or off about this recording. Otherwise, great performance.