Bohuslav Martinů: Early Orchestral Works, Volume Three
This series of recordings of Martinů’s early orchestral works has already brought more than its fair share of surprises. The two shorter works here are colourful and atmospheric tone-poems, pieces of real substance and major discoveries in their own right. But it is the 1922 symphonic triptych Vanishing Midnight (Míjející půlnoc in the original Czech) – here receiving its first recording – which will prove the real revelation. A big-hearted work of breathtaking opulence and striking confidence, Vanishing Midnight is as exquisitely lovely as it is powerful and dramatic – Martinů’s first true masterpiece.
Sinfonia Varsovia
Agnieszka Kopacka, piano (Track 5)
Ian Hobson, conductor
Listen To This Recording:
-
Vanishing Midnight (1922)*
- Vanishing Midnight: I Satyrs in the Grove of Cypresses
- Vanishing Midnight: II The Blue Hour
- Vanishing Midnight: III Shadows
- Ballade (after Boecklin’s picture Villa by the Sea)
- Dream of the Past
Ballade (after Böcklin’s picture Villa by the Sea) (c. 1915)*
Dream of the Past (1920)
*FIRST RECORDINGS
MusicWeb International :
‘The vivid contributions of the Sinfornia Varsovia and Ian Hobson ensure the disc’s success.’
—Jonathan Woolf, MusicWeb International
WTJU :
‘Conductor Ian Hobson and the Sinfonia Varsvia turn in some fine performances.’
—Ralph Graves, WTJU
BBC Music Magazine :
‘The 1922 symphonic tryptic Vanishing Midnight and two smaller works all receive their CD debuts. Lyrical and measured performances.’
—BBC Music Magazine
Opus Klassiek :
‘Martin Anderson (Schotland, 1955) heeft een onverzadigbare muziekhonger, zonder muziek of musicologie te hebben gestudeerd. […] Met dat label leverde hij een Olympische prestatie: in de twaalf jaar van haar bestaan verschenen meer dan tweehonderd titels, stuk voor stuk met werken van componisten waarvan u en ik nog nooit gehoord hebben. Of, zoals in dit geval, werken van een bekende componist die nog niet eerder werden opgenomen. In beide gevallen een onderneming die in pecuniair opzicht valt onder de noemer liefdewerk. Deze man verdient de Nobelprijs voor muziek. […]
Sinfonia Varsovia en Ian Hobson zijn geen klinkende namen in het klassieke muziekbedrijf, maar wat ze hier presteren laat niets te wensen over. De jonge Martinů kan alleen maar van zulke uitvoeringen gedroomd hebben. De Witold Lutoslawski Studio is een perfecte opamelocatie en de toelichting kon niet beter. Ruim twintig pagina’s, alleen Engels en tjokvol informatie. De cd is nog lang niet dood.’
English translation:
‘Martin Anderson (Scotland, 1955) has an insatiable hunger for music, without having studied music or musicology. […] With that label, he achieved an Olympic feat: in its twelve years of existence, more than two hundred titles were released, each featuring works by composers you and I have never heard of. Or, as in this case, works by a well-known composer that have never been recorded before. In both cases, an undertaking that, financially speaking, can be described as a labor of love. This man deserves the Nobel Prize for Music. […]
Sinfonia Varsovia and Ian Hobson aren’t household names in the classical music world, but what they achieve here leaves nothing to be desired. The young Martinů could only have dreamed of such performances. The Witold Lutoslawski Studio is a perfect recording location, and the notes couldn’t be better. Over twenty pages, in English only, and chock-full of information. The CD is far from dead.’
—Siebe Riedstra, Opus Klassiek