Bohuslav Martinu
Mario Taboada
>One of my very favorite composers is the great Czchec Martinu.
>\An inordinately prolific artist, he composed in all grenres.
>His style and technique derive from both Czech nationalism and
>French impressionism. Many of his works are 20th century masterpieces.
>If anyone out there shares my enthusiasm, please write. Thanks
I share your enthusiasm for Bohuslav's music. I have been
trying to put together a decent Martinu collection on compact disk -
something that nowadays is much easier since there are lots of
Martinu recordings coming out every year. Some day when I have time
I'll put together a list of the most outstanding recordings. By my
estimation, about 1/2 of Martinu's 390 works are now on CD - a much
better situation than one could have envisioned ten years ago.
Composers like Martinu and Villa Lobos have suffered from a lack of
publicity - and of performances and recordings. This is now being
rectified, and I think they will become much better known (in the
case of Martinu, he could become a household composer if orchestras
would perform his symphonies and concertos regularly). His music is
accessible, witty, entertaining, and surprising. What more can one
ask of a composer?
Regards,
--
Mario Taboada
* Department of Mathematics * University of Southern California * Los Angeles
e-mail: tab...@mtha.usc.edu
David Bluestone
> \An inordinately prolific artist, he composed in all grenres.
> His style and technique derive from both Czech nationalism and > French
impressionism. Many of his works are 20th century masterpieces.
> If anyone out there shares my enthusiasm, please write. Thanks
He's getting to me at the moment - thanks to the excellent complete
symphony cycle recorded (Chandos) by Bryden Thomson & the Royal Scottish
National - Thomson's last project before his untimely death.
Martinu's wonderful exhilarating and lyrical spirit (especially in symphs
1 & 2) is pretty rare among 20th century composers (- the only other
composer who comes to mind is the equally underplayed Milhaud, whose 1st
& 2nd symphonies I recommend to everyone who tunes in to this group).
The 4th piano concerto ("Incantation") is extraordinary, and
extraordinarily successful.
Sign me up for the Martinu fan club!
fehs...@ljsrv2.enet.dec.com
I also recently discovered Martinu (largely at the urging of David Hurwitz,
who paid a visit to Electric Gramophone some time ago); a "truly great find"
was Martinu's "Epic of Gilgamesh", which I urge fans of Martinu who don't
already know it to try.
len.
David Person
french. It is just incredible.
I don't think it's as well known as many other of his works, but a new recording came
out last year, and anyone who likes Martinu should check it out.
- dp
--
David Person DPe...@ix.netcom.com
Paoletti Associates San Francisco
Acoustical and Audiovisual Consultants
--
Edward Dardis
SAS> \An inordinately prolific artist, he composed in all grenres.
SAS> His style and technique derive from both Czech nationalism and
SAS> French impressionism. Many of his works are 20th
SAS> century masterpieces.
SAS> If anyone out there shares my enthusiasm, please write. Thanks
Funny you should mention that. I'm a Martinu fan and I just heard a piece of
his on a CBC radio broadcast, the "Sinfonia Giacoso" and thoroughly enjoyed it.
One of my fav recordings of M is his cello concertos 1&2, with May, Neumann and
the Czech Phil on Supraphon. Also have his cello piano sonatas, Double
Concerto, Les Fresques, and some of the symphonies.
Also some piano music.
Write and let me know what you've heard, and what you like.
Edward Dardis, Van BC Can
Bruce Rodean
I have all the symphonies, piano concertos, and one CD of various things
(e.g. Double Concerto). I can find two recordings of this work--one on
Supraphon (Belohlavek/Prague SO) and one on Marco Polo (Kosler/Slovak
PO). Is one to be favored?
--
Bruce Rodean Hewlett-Packard Company
rod...@fc.hp.com Fort Collins, Colorado
Robert Parish
Edward...@1040.ship.net (Edward Dardis) writes:
>Write and let me know what you've heard, and what you like.
on Supraphon. I liked what I heard, and intend to follow this thread
with an eye toward picking up more works by Martinu.
---Robert Parish
John Sowle
RDPA...@ulkyvm.louisville.edu (Robert Parish) writes:
Check out The Epic of Gilgamesh (there are a couple of versions). The
music is wonderful, the text VERY odd.
--John and Steven
BRUCE KATZENBERG
ED>ÿ@FROM :Edward...@1040.ship.net
ED>ÿ@N UMSGID :<97d_950...@ship.net>
ED>ÿ@N UNEWSGR:01rec.music.classical
ED>N Path:
ED>nntp.execnet.com!news1.databank.com!news5.sprintlink.net!news.sprintl
ink
ED>.
ED>net!howland.reston.ans.net!spool.mu.edu!torn!news.bc.net!vanbc.wimsey
.co
ED>m!ship! 1040!edward.dardis
ED>From: Edward...@1040.ship.net (Edward Dardis)
ED>Date: 31 Jan 95 23:26:10
ED>Newsgroups: rec.music.classical
ED>Subject: Bohuslav Martinu
ED>Message-ID: <97d_950...@ship.net>
ED>X-FTN-To: S. Alan Schweitzer
ED>Organization: S2S Mail Machine
ED>Lines: 17
ED> SAS> One of my very favorite composers is the great Czchec Martinu.
ED> SAS> \An inordinately prolific artist, he composed in all grenres.
ED> SAS> His style and technique derive from both Czech nationalism and
ED> SAS> French impressionism. Many of his works are 20th
ED> SAS> century masterpieces.
ED> SAS> If anyone out there shares my enthusiasm, please write. Thanks
ED>Funny you should mention that. I'm a Martinu fan and I just heard a
ED>piece of his on a CBC radio broadcast, the "Sinfonia Giacoso" and
ED>thoroughly enjoyed it.
ED>One of my fav recordings of M is his cello concertos 1&2, with May,
ED>Neumann and the Czech Phil on Supraphon. Also have his cello piano
ED>sonatas, Double Concerto, Les Fresques, and some of the symphonies.
ED>Also some piano music.
ED>Write and let me know what you've heard, and what you like.
ED>Edward Dardis, Van BC Can
ED>
One of my favorite recordings is his Duo for Violin and Cello.
Heifetz and Piatagorsky recorded it and it never fails to
take my breath away.
þ CMPQwk 1.42-18 9718 þSex is natural, but not if it's done right.
Richard Korkosz
I strongly recommend Martinu's 3 sonatas for cello and piano, as performed
by Starker and Firkusny (on RCA). Also on RCA is a disc of Martinu piano
music played by Firkusny.
fehs...@ljsrv2.enet.dec.com
rod...@fc.hp.com (Bruce Rodean) writes [re Martinu's Epic of Gilgamesh]:
I can find two recordings of this work--one on
Supraphon (Belohlavek/Prague SO) and one on Marco Polo (Kosler/Slovak
PO). Is one to be favored?
The Supraphon is more recent, though if I recall correctly both have received
positive critical comment.
len.
John Arnold
My favourites are his symphonies (esp. 1, 2, 4, 6)
his piano concertos (esp. 4, 5)
his cello concertos
his violin concertos
his operas `the greek passion' and `Hry o Marie'
the Czech Rhapsody
I have an awful tape recording of his violin and piano concerto
which I have never managed to find on CD, or even in a catalogue.
This is a pity, as it's his best work, IMHO. Any clues as to
where I can find it are welcome!
John Arnold, Wokingham, England
`All rules have exceptions ... except this one.'
Mario Taboada
John: the Concerto da camera for violin, piano, timpani and
orchestra is available in a good performance by Dubrovskaya/Chou/Weber
+ Southwest German C.O. The record number is Amati 9004. It is coupled
with the Partita for string orchestra a the Divertimento.o of 1932.
It is a wonderful disk - not least because the music is so damn
inventive. The concerto da camera is a masterpiece. It is full of
harmonic clashes and the continuously developed motifs that are so
ique to Martinu. The finale is absolutely brilliant.
Robert Parish
kor...@golay.csl.uiuc.edu (Richard Korkosz) writes:
>I strongly recommend Martinu's 3 sonatas for cello and piano, as performed
>by Starker and Firkusny (on RCA). Also on RCA is a disc of Martinu piano
>music played by Firkusny.
Recomendation duly noted. I'll pick the first CD up when I see it.
But I'm curious if anyone has heard the complete piano music box on
Supraphon 3-11-1010-2, with Emil Leichner on piano. Just noticed
that in Schann when I went to look up the second disk mentioned.
---Robert Parish
Brian Reasoner
: I have all the symphonies, piano concertos, and one CD of various things
: (e.g. Double Concerto). I can find two recordings of this work--one on
: Supraphon (Belohlavek/Prague SO) and one on Marco Polo (Kosler/Slovak
: PO). Is one to be favored?
Although I can't speak for the Supraphon recording of "Epic of Gilgamesh",
the Marco Polo recording is *fantastic*. The piece is fairly dramatic and
may seem disjointed on first listening. Along with the syncopated
lyricism and motor rhythms that typify his works from the late 30's on, it
is structured like a typical oratorio, with both spoken and sung texts
(lots of short sections). Some might not appreciate this sort of
narrative/descriptive text, which necessitated much recitation writing.
Nonetheless, the work is extremely powerful, especially in the choral
sections, and displays Martinu's considerable flair for dramatic writing.
Regarding the Marco Polo disc, the one drawback to me is that the booklet
only includes the English text from which Martinu based his Czech version.
I'd love to know how the Supraphon version is . . . .
Brian Reasoner
Mario Taboada
that I mentioned (on the Amati disk) is not the one he was looking for.
I looked in my Martinu sources, and *there is* a concerto for violin,
piano and orchestra from 1953 (the Concerto da Camera is from 1941).
I have never heard a recording of the 1953 work, which apparently was
written around the time (possibly simultaneously) of the Cello
Sonata #3, the Rhapsody Concerto for Viola and Orchestra, and the
Fantaisies Symphoniques. If the other works are any indication, this
concerto should be pretty interesting. Martinu was cooking in his last
decade!
I hope this work turns up on CD soon.
David Emery
(about Starker and Firkusny)
<<
Recomendation duly noted. I'll pick the first CD up when I see it.
But I'm curious if anyone has heard the complete piano music box on
Supraphon 3-11-1010-2, with Emil Leichner on piano. Just noticed
that in Schann when I went to look up the second disk mentioned.
>>
Several months ago I gave Martinu something of a bum rap by dwelling on
his harmonic devices, which are effectively stirring in any case, if a
bit pervasive. Mario T. claimed to know a lot about BM and quickly came
to the man's defense. Since then I've been highly rewarded by taking some
chances checking out some of the more obscure pieces like Spalicek and the
late cantatas on Supraphon, and I now rest any case I may have had against
this guy - his personality and humor show through his music in infectious
ways. Who can resist a piece instrumented for accordian, fiddle, and
clarinet? So what if he's not Bartok - who is? It just bothers me that I
can't help liking so much of his music when so much of it sounds alike.
Also for fans of early 20th C. chamber string music might be the recent
Domus CD with Donohnyi, Kodaly, and Martinu. And I would like to hear any
remarks about the string quartets, in particular the Supraphon release by
the Panocha Quartet.
David Emery
len.
>>
The Supraphon is a more recent release, but an earlier recording from the
70's, I believe. From my experience I consider Belolhavek a trustworthy
performer for Martinu, one of the best. Myself I have the Marco Polo version
and find it quite satisfactory - excellent choir, well-balanced to the
orchestral contribution, and a well-paced dramatic developement through the
entire piece. The Penguin people gave it a rosette, FWIW. At least I wasn't
disappointed by following _them_ in this case.
Terje Rydland
RDPA...@ulkyvm.louisville.edu (Robert Parish) wrote:
It is not complete in the sense that it contains all the
piano music Martinu ever wrote, but it contains all the piano works
of any substance.
I have the set and have heard it a couple of times two years back
(I bought it in Prague in 1992 I think).
Martinu wrote pleasant, but not great, piano music. There is nothing
here at the level of the symphonies, the piano and violin concerto,
or the operas (I especially like Hry o Marii, Julietta, and The Comedy on
the Bridge).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Terje Rydland Tel.:73 59 18 45 (+47-73 59 18 45)
Dept. of Informatics Fax.:73 59 17 33 (+47-73 59 17 33)
UNIT/AVH E-Mail:terje....@ifi.unit.no
N-7055 Dragvoll AppleLink: NOR0103
Norway
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James Kahn
>John Arnold <10034...@CompuServe.COM> writes:
>>I have an awful tape recording of his violin and piano concerto
>>which I have never managed to find on CD, or even in a catalogue.
>> This is a pity, as it's his best work, IMHO. Any clues as to
>>where I can find it are welcome!
> John: the Concerto da camera for violin, piano, timpani and
>orchestra is available in a good performance by Dubrovskaya/Chou/Weber
>+ Southwest German C.O. The record number is Amati 9004. It is coupled
>with the Partita for string orchestra a the Divertimento.o of 1932.
Is this the same concerto? I also had once heard a concerto for
violin, piano, and orchestra on the radio, and liked it a lot, but
never could find a recording. I'd assumed this concerto for violin,
piano, timpani, and orchestra was a separate piece. Anyone know?
--Jim
--
ka...@troi.cc.rochester.edu |
ka...@finance.wharton.upenn.edu |
David Person
>
>Also for fans of early 20th C. chamber string music might be the recent
>Domus CD with Donohnyi, Kodaly, and Martinu.
I second that recommendation - it is an excellent disc.
My favorite Martinu work is Ariane, an opera in one act. (45 min.) I also have _The
Greek Passion_ and _The Miricle of Our Lady_, but they don't compare.
Eric Schissel
concerto for violin, cello, and orchestra as listed in 1950 Grove and
on an LP of his 2nd symphony?-eric schissel
--
1.The most common mistake of young thieves is stealing complimentary copies.
2.Read misc.activism.progressive. (Std disc).
es...@crux2.cit.cornell.edu Eric Schissel, at least once in a while.
Terje Rydland
wrote:
> In an e-mail message, John Arnold lets me know that the Concerto da Camera
> that I mentioned (on the Amati disk) is not the one he was looking for.
> I looked in my Martinu sources, and *there is* a concerto for violin,
> piano and orchestra from 1953 (the Concerto da Camera is from 1941).
> I have never heard a recording of the 1953 work, which apparently was
> written around the time (possibly simultaneously) of the Cello
> Sonata #3, the Rhapsody Concerto for Viola and Orchestra, and the
> Fantaisies Symphoniques. If the other works are any indication, this
> concerto should be pretty interesting. Martinu was cooking in his last
> decade!
>
> I hope this work turns up on CD soon.
There is a Supraphon recording from
the late 60's/early 70's with Josef Suk and Jan Panenka. I have the LP
at home. It is one of Martinu's greatest works, and at the rate
Supraphon is reissuing old recordings this one should be here
RSN (if it's not available already).
Gabriel M. Kuper
> My favorite Martinu work is Ariane, an opera in one act. (45 min.) I also have _The
> Greek Passion_ and _The Miricle of Our Lady_, but they don't compare.
But try Julietta (the Supraphon recording, not the French one with half
an hour missing).
Gabriel Kuper
S. Alan Schweitzer
There are two remarkable features in Martinu's musical style (as
opposed to technique) that I have sensed in several works: most
notably, the PARABLES, LES TROIS FRESQUES, the CONCERTO FOR 2 PIANOS,
JULIETTA (particularly the finale). One is tyhe tendency to cteate
a massive, "blocked," or layered, orchestral sound. A second
noteworthy effect is that of the oxymoronic "moving stasis."
This sense of static but self propelling of musical "blocks" as it
were is compelling in the first Parable. Perhaps this is an
illusion on my part, as I am no musical critic or specialist. Yet
the "imagery" in Martinu is remarkable. In that late passage
in Julietta I sense that I am looking into an abyss.
Martin Rand
and its appearance in my local record dealer's sale rack (the Marco Polo
version). While I am keen on Martinu, I didn't find it 'grabbed' me
rapidly on first hearing as much of his music does. However by the early
stages of Part 2 I was thoroughly involved. I'll be listening again very
soon.
...Martin