Bohuslav Martinů: Early Orchestral Works, Volume One
Martinů's mature orchestral works are now a mainstay of the repertoire. But the generous quantity of orchestral music he wrote between his late teens and early thirties is as good as unknown. This series of CDs opens that treasure trove, revealing Martinů on the path to mastery. It presents first recordings of some astonishingly attractive music, much of it showing the good-natured influence of Czech folk traditions, some of it evocative and atmospheric — and almost all of it irresistibly charming.
Sinfonia Varsovia, orchestra
Ian Hobson, conductor
Adam Szlęzak, cor anglais
Andrzej Krzyżanowski, flute
Jakub Haufa, violin
Artur Paciorkiewicz, viola
Listen To This Recording:
- Prélude en forme de scherzo, H181a (1929, orch. 1930)
- Orchestral movement, H90 (1913–14)
- Posvícení (‘Village Feast’), H2 (1907)
- Nocturno 1, H91 (1914–15)
- I Tempo di valse
- II Moderato: PÌse? (‘Song’)
- III Scherzo
- IV Allegro ‡ la polka
Little Dance Suite, H123 (1919)
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3 reviews for Bohuslav Martinů: Early Orchestral Works, Volume One
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Guy Rickards :
“With still much to discover in Martinů’s output, this engaging disc does much to fill in some gaps. In the brief Pièce en forme de scherzo (1929, orch ‘30) the familiar voice is consistently present; otherwise only in the Little Dance Suite (1919, and anything but little!) do we hear flashes of the composer to come. Village Feast (1907) is Martinů’s first known orchestral work, a charming but naive tone poem. The untitled Orchestral Movement (1914) and Nocturno I (1915) are more impressive essays in impressionism. Ian Hobson proves a wholly sympathetic interpreter, securing fine, idiomatic performances throughout from Sinfonia Varsovia, in excellent sound. It may not be Martinů as we know it, but this is a hugely enjoyable, fascinating disc.” Klassisk Musikkmagasin
Michael Collins :
This is a beautiful recording and hope this is the first of many to come. Martinu’s early output isn’t represented well on CD. I’d be forever in love with Toccata if they recorded Martinu’s complete ballet Istar. Pretty please 🙂
Andrew Knowles :
Many congratulations to Martin Anderson, Ian Hobson, Sinfonia Varsovia and Michael Crump in producing such a wonderful disc! I have been wanting to hear what these early orchestral works sounded like since I started my serious research into Martinu’s music more than 25 years ago; now I know. What magical and colourful sounds he produces with such inventive orchestration; clearly a master of the orchestra by his early twenties! I have played the disc several times already in the last few days and am totally hooked!! I eagerly await further volumes in the series. Martinu fans need not hesitate others new to the composer should sample immediately as there are many delights within!