Frank Martin: Polyptique; Etudes pour orchestre à cordes; Sonata da Chiesa

Frank [1] Martin (Composer), Hans Stadlmair (Conductor), Munich Chamber Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Munich Chamber Orchestra
• Conductor: Hans Stadlmair
• Composer: Frank [1] Martin
• Audio CD (May 23, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Koch Schwann (Germ.)
• ASIN: B00002DFGH
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #631,131 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Polyptique: Image Des Rameaux

2. Polyptique: Image De La Chambre Haute

3. Polyptique: Image De Juda

4. Polyptique: Image De Gethsemane

5. Polyptique: Image Du Jugement

6. Polyptique: Image De La Glorification

7. Etudes For String Orchestra: Overture

8. Etudes For String Orchestra: Etude No.1

9. Etudes For String Orchestra: Etude No.2

10. Etudes For String Orchestra: Etude No.3

11. Etudes For String Orchestra: Etude No.4

12. Son De Chiesa For Viola And String Orchestra: Andante

13. Son De Chiesa For Viola And String Orchestra: Allegro Alla Francesca

14. Son De Chiesa For Viola And String Orchestra: Musette

15. Son De Chiesa For Viola And String Orchestra: Adagio

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Works at Bargain Price, including a Rare Gem, June 3, 2000

By 

Nicholas A. Deutsch (Tarrytown, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Frank Martin: Polyptique; Etudes pour orchestre à cordes; Sonata da Chiesa (Audio CD)

This is a real bargain: highly polished performances of 3 beautiful works by a 20th century master, one of them a rarity. The Sonata da Chiesa, or church sonata, was composed in 1938 for viola d'amore and organ; Martin arranged the accompaniment for strings in 1952. The one-movement piece falls into 3 sections, 2 slow meditations framing a dance-like middle portion. It's a lovely work that deserves to be heard more often: this is the 1st recording I've run across (you'll find the version for flute and organ on Bis CD-71, a collection of Martin's chamber music), and it's a beautiful one. The Etudes for String Orchestra (1955-56) give players a chance to show their virtuosity (a bit like Britten's "Frank Bridge" Variations): a dotted-rhythm Overture precedes the 4 "studies," respectively for "linked gestures,""pizzicato,""expression & sostenuto" and "fugal style." There have been wittier performances than this -- the syncopations in the "pizzicato" study are a bit "straight" -- but this is a rhythmically alert, suavely played version. Polyptyque -- the title is spelled wrong throughout -- dates from 1973 and was composed for violinist Yehudi Menuhin & conductor Edmond de Stoutz & his Zurich Chamber Orchestra. It's one of Martin's most profound works, & it receives a very fine performance here (de Stoutz's 1992 version (Gallo CD-713), with Zbigniew Czapczynski the outstanding soloist, remains my top pick). Only negative: the sound in the Etudes & Polyptyque, though admirably clear, is a bit dry, with traces of "glassiness," especially in the upper strings; the Sonata da Chiesa is more warmly recorded. Finally, the English-language notes make a number of errors in translating the German originals; more seriously, Martin's own thoughts on Polyptyque are translated from the German notes, not the original French, and the French notes here are a back-translation of the German! Still, this is a genuine bargain.

1 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars when ?, October 22, 2008

By 

maryvonne "mary" (Paris, F France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Frank Martin: Polyptique; Etudes pour orchestre à cordes; Sonata da Chiesa (Audio CD)

I am till waiting to receive this item, I don't give an opinion or a review
maryvonne