Product Description

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Genre: Classical Music
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 21-JUN-2005

Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Symphony No. 1, H. 289: 1. Moderato - Poco po� mosso
2. Symphony No. 1, H. 289: 2. Scherzo. Allegro - Trio. Poco moderato
3. Symphony No. 1, H. 289: 3. Largo
4. Symphony No. 1, H. 289: 4. Allegro non troppo
5. Symphony No. 5, H. 310: 1. Adagio - Allegro
6. Symphony No. 5, H. 310: 2. Larghetto
7. Symphony No. 5, H. 310: 3. Lento - Allegro

Disc 2:

1. Symphony No. 2, H. 295: 1. Allegro moderato
2. Symphony No. 2, H. 295: 2. Andante moderato
3. Symphony No. 2, H. 295: 3. Poco allegro
4. Symphony No. 2, H. 295: 4. Allegro
5. Symphony No. 6 ('Fantaisies symphoniques'), H. 343: 1. Lento - Andante moderato - Allegro - Lento
6. Symphony No. 6 ('Fantaisies symphoniques'), H. 343: 2. Poco Allegro
7. Symphony No. 6 ('Fantaisies symphoniques'), H. 343: 3. Lento - Poco vivo: adagio - Allegro - Allegro vivace - Lento

Disc 3:

1. Symphony No. 3, H. 299: 1. Allegro poco moderato
2. Symphony No. 3, H. 299: 2. Largo
3. Symphony No. 3, H. 299: 3. Allegro - Andante
4. Symphony No. 4, H. 305: 1. Poco moderato
5. Symphony No. 4, H. 305: 2. Allegro vivo - Trio. Moderato - Allegro vivo
6. Symphony No. 4, H. 305: 3. Largo
7. Symphony No. 4, H. 305: 4. Poco allegro

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #33998 in Music
• Brand: THOMSON,BRYDEN
• Released on: 2005-06-21
• Number of discs: 3
• Dimensions: .30 pounds

Amazon.com
Martinu's blend of the neo-classic and Romantic in his symphonies is fascinating listening. All six works have solid musical interest, and several are truly outstanding. The Third, a response to the carnage of World War II, with a muted, almost anti-climactic ending is moving; the optimistic Fourth, with its radiant Largo, is among his finest, and the energetic Fifth make his "war" symphonies unmissable. The Sixth, subtitled "Fantaises symphoniques") is remarkable in its free form but coherent approach. The first two symphonies are notable for their handling of orchestral sonorities and his typical rhythmic inventiveness and energy. While one's instinct is to favor conductors and orchestras from Martinu's native Czechoslovakia, Thomson and his Scottish band play with an idiomatic tang and drive that makes this the preferred complete symphony cycle. The orchestra's biting brass, colorful winds, and exuberant strings are first-rate. Thomson's firm grip on Martinu's elusive style means that even his interpretive liberties are convincing, like his flowing tempo for the Third's Largo movement which is usually taken much more slowly. He builds Martinu's symphonic frameworks so that however wayward they may appear at first, they wind up making sense. Other performances of some symphonies may have an edge, like Ancerl's near-miraculous Fifth and Sixth, but with its excellent sonics, playing, and conducting, this one sweeps the boards. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews

An unexpected gem
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.

Yes, you should buy this now.
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.

Little known collection of symphonic gems
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.