5.0 out of 5 stars
A Disc To Win Converts, April 15, 2006
This review is from: Bohuslav Martinu: Rhapsody for Viola; Concerto; Concertino; Lidice [Hybrid SACD] (Audio CD)
Martinu might not be to everyone's taste but this would be a good disc for anyone curious to delve into the vast output of this undervalued composer.
These pieces have plenty of character and appeal and the performances are scintillating. It is great to have the popular Rhapsody-Concerto with such a fabulous viola soloist - Tabea Zimmermann. The last movement is particularly intense and engrossing.
The viola concerto separates two works written for the same unusual combination - piano trio and string orchestra. They are wonderfully played by the Trio Wanderer. These works should be far better known than they are, and hopefully this disc will help in that regard.
The first piece (Pamatnik Lidicim 1943) is a serious and moving elegy to the victims of a Nazi massacre in a town near Prague. Martinu's sound-world in this piece is unique and searching.
The Gurzenich Orchester Koln under James Conlon play brilliantly and the SACD sound is clear and well balanced.
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