Martinu: Symphonies [Import]

Bohuslav Martinu (Composer), Václav Neumann (Conductor), Czech Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Václav Neumann
• Composer: Bohuslav Martinu
• Audio CD (April 20, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Import
• Label: Supraphon
• ASIN: B00000I7LB
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #478,100 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Symphony No. 1, H. 289: Moderato

2. Symphony No. 1, H. 289: Allegro. Poco moderato. Allegro come prima

3. Symphony No. 1, H. 289: Largo

4. Symphony No. 1, H. 289: Allegro non troppo

5. Symphony No. 2, H. 295: Allegro moderato

6. Symphony No. 2, H. 295: Andante moderato

See all 8 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Symphony No. 3, H. 299: Allegro poco moderato

2. Symphony No. 3, H. 299: Largo

3. Symphony No. 3, H. 299: Allegro

4. Symphony No. 4, H. 305: Poco moderato. Poco allegro

5. Symphony No. 4, H. 305: Allegro vivo. Moderato. Allegro vivo

6. Symphony No. 4, H. 305: Largo

See all 7 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Symphony No. 5, H. 310: Adagio

2. Symphony No. 5, H. 310: Larghetto

3. Symphony No. 5, H. 310: Lento. Allegro

4. Symphony No. 6 ('Fantaisies symphoniques'), H. 343: Lento. Allegro. Lento

5. Symphony No. 6 ('Fantaisies symphoniques'), H. 343: Poco allegro

6. Symphony No. 6 ('Fantaisies symphoniques'), H. 343: Lento

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars superb idiomatic playing and recording, September 28, 2007

By 

YIP Alex - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Martinu: Symphonies (Audio CD)

I own many symphony cycles of Martinu, Jarvi, Thompson and this one. Jarvi is very good too. However, by a narrow margin this cycle is my favourite. The players and the conductor are totally inside the music, anyone invested in this set will not be disappointed.

11 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Martinu, Genius. Neumann, Friendly., July 9, 2002

By 

Gregory M. Zinkl (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Martinu: Symphonies (Audio CD)

But not exceptional.

Listening to Martinu's music is to enter into a fascinating, unique sound world. It's at the same time beautiful, moving, and exciting. It's also very busy stuff, lots of syncopations.

His symphonies are terrific; I first fell in love with the 2nd (the opening tune is so cool), and the first soon followed, and then the rest. Neumann, as he says in one of the most egotistical interviews (included in the set), and the Czech Philharmonic have performed this music many, many times. And therein lies the problem, methinks.

This music is presented as a friendly stroll in the park. Friendly. Familiar. Blase. Now go listen to Ancerl, and you hear smoke from the instruments. Listen to Gibson on Chandos, and you have a combination of beautiful recorded sound and committed, interesting performances. I bet Jarvi (not yet heard) is a good bet, too.

If you like your on a musical even keel, this is for you. If this is the only available set of Martinu Symphonies, it's ok. But, given other choices, I'd pass this by.