Martinu: Symphonies

Bohuslav Martinu (Composer), Bryden Thomson (Conductor), Royal Scottish National Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Royal Scottish National Orchestra
• Conductor: Bryden Thomson
• Composer: Bohuslav Martinu
• Audio CD (June 21, 2005)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 3
• Label: Chandos
• ASIN: B0009F66PY
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #164,760 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. I. Moderato-Poco Piu Mosso

2. II. Scherzo. Allegro-Trio. Poco Moderato

3. III. Largo

4. IV. Allegro Non Troppo

5. I. Adagio-Allegro

6. II. Larghetto

See all 7 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. I. Allegro Moderato

2. II. Andante Moderato

3. III. Poco Allegro

4. IV. Allegro

5. I. Lento-Andante Moderato-Allegro-Lento

6. II. Poco Allegro

See all 7 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. I. Allegro Poco Moderato

2. II. Largo

3. III. Allegro-Andante

4. I. Poco Moderato

5. II. Allegro Vivo-Trio. Moderato-Allegro Vivo

6. III. Largo

See all 7 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available.
Genre: Classical Music
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 21-JUN-2005

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An unexpected gem, January 12, 2006

By 

captain cuttle (Vancouver, Canada) - See all my reviews

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

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.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, you should buy this now., June 9, 2008

By 

Samuel Stephens "aka "Hector"" (TN, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

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

Like most of you who plan on buying this set, I came to Martinu's music by reading about him. Talking can sometimes overstate (or understate) the case for a little-known composer. But thankfully in Martinu's case, there is absolutely nothing to disappoint.

The first symphony is lively, driving, and a tad stringent in the manner of Arthur Honegger's symphonies. The second symphony is a delight! It starts with a streaming flow of strings and woodwinds. There's a magical undercurrent of piano throughout. The following four symphonies are just as rewarding. The sixth symphony ("Fantaisies symphoniques") was originally to be titled "Une Nouvelle Symphonie Fantastique," because Martinu was inspired by the music of Berlioz. He later backed off the title, but there is no denying that this work is as fantastical as that of Berlioz.

These symphonies aren't long by Mahlerian or Brucknerian standards. They fit snugly within the 30-minute range. There is not a hint of pretension or grandstanding in the music. Martinu doesn't endeavor to imitate or outdo Beethoven, Brahms, or Mahler. He is his own voice. These works are fresh and accessible. I would suggest, however, turning up the volume for maximum enjoyment.

These performances bring out all the fantasy and excitement that these works need in an interpretation. Many thanks to Bryden Thomson's excellent vision and the Royal Scottish Nat'l Orchestra's superb playing.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Little known collection of symphonic gems, November 25, 2008

By 

Wesley Duckett "Classical music fan" (Odessa, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

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

Bohuslav Martinu (1890-1959)is not so well known among lovers of Classical music. His oeuvre appears during the first third to the middle of the Twentieth Century, but, in this eminently listenable collection, is not troubled by the dissonance, atonality and bleak harshness that characterizes so much of the music of that era.

I have found all six of Martinu's symphonies to be immediately accessible from the very first hearing, refreshingly modern and thoroughly enjoyable. I can compare his style to bits of Copland, Hindemith and Bartok.

Bryden Thomson has provided a spirited, engaging and clearly affectionate reading of Martinu's six symphonies in this boxed set. I heartily recommend this set to any aficionado of serious music.