Martinu Orchestral Works
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Bohuslav (Jan) Martinu
Label: Chandos
Magazine Review Date: 5/1991
Media Format: Cassette
Media Runtime: 0
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: ABTD1475
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Sinfonietta giocosa |
Bohuslav (Jan) Martinu, Composer
Bohuslav (Jan) Martinu, Composer Bournemouth Sinfonietta Julian Jacobson, Piano Tamás Vásáry, Piano |
| Sinfonietta, '(La) Jolla' |
Bohuslav (Jan) Martinu, Composer
Bohuslav (Jan) Martinu, Composer Bournemouth Sinfonietta Julian Jacobson, Piano Tamás Vásáry, Piano |
| Toccata e due canzoni |
Bohuslav (Jan) Martinu, Composer
Bohuslav (Jan) Martinu, Composer Bournemouth Sinfonietta Tamás Vásáry, Piano |
Composer or Director: Bohuslav (Jan) Martinu
Label: Chandos
Magazine Review Date: 5/1991
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 76
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: CHAN8859
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Sinfonietta giocosa |
Bohuslav (Jan) Martinu, Composer
Bohuslav (Jan) Martinu, Composer Bournemouth Sinfonietta Julian Jacobson, Piano Tamás Vásáry, Piano |
| Sinfonietta, '(La) Jolla' |
Bohuslav (Jan) Martinu, Composer
Bohuslav (Jan) Martinu, Composer Bournemouth Sinfonietta Julian Jacobson, Piano Tamás Vásáry, Piano |
| Toccata e due canzoni |
Bohuslav (Jan) Martinu, Composer
Bohuslav (Jan) Martinu, Composer Bournemouth Sinfonietta Tamás Vásáry, Piano |
Author: Michael Oliver
One could nit-pick endlessly over the comparative versions listed above (for the record and for what it's worth I marginally prefer Valta's account of the Sinfonietta ''La jolla'' on Opus/Rare Records and, rather less marginally, Mackerras's of the Sinfonietta giocosa on Conifer to Vasary's readings) but that would miss, if not the point, a couple of very important ones. The first is that Vasary's collection is much more generous than either of his rivals: he offers 17 minutes more music than Mackerras, 30(!) minutes more than Valta. Secondly, couplings: Mackerras adds a fine performance of Suk's Serenade for strings, Valta a slightly heavy-footed but bright and enjoyable account of Respighi's Trittico Botticelliano; only Vasary devotes himself entirely to Martinu. Most crucially of all he adds to the two sinfoniettas a work more substantial and more urgently, personally expressive than either of them: the Toccata e due canzoni could very reasonably have been called a symphony without any need for the diminutive suffix.
It is a most ingeniously constructed work, a symphony built from toccata- and canzone-like elements rather than a toccata followed by two lyrical movements. The tenderly lyrical melodies that stick in the memory after hearing the two sinfoniettas are heard here, too, but the work darkens as it proceeds, conflict, melancholy and disquiet disturbing the dapper neo-classicism. On its account alone I find Vasary's record the most desirable of the three, despite a touch of heaviness to his and his soloist's handling of the two engaging slighter pieces. Mackerras's Sinfonietta giocosa is cleaner, crisper and lighter-footed, and his coupling has great appeal, but for the Martinu enthusiast or convert the Toccata e due canzoni (not otherwise available on CD) makes Vasary's collection indispensable. It is richly, just a touch densely recorded.'
It is a most ingeniously constructed work, a symphony built from toccata- and canzone-like elements rather than a toccata followed by two lyrical movements. The tenderly lyrical melodies that stick in the memory after hearing the two sinfoniettas are heard here, too, but the work darkens as it proceeds, conflict, melancholy and disquiet disturbing the dapper neo-classicism. On its account alone I find Vasary's record the most desirable of the three, despite a touch of heaviness to his and his soloist's handling of the two engaging slighter pieces. Mackerras's Sinfonietta giocosa is cleaner, crisper and lighter-footed, and his coupling has great appeal, but for the Martinu enthusiast or convert the Toccata e due canzoni (not otherwise available on CD) makes Vasary's collection indispensable. It is richly, just a touch densely recorded.'
Martinu Orchestral Works
Martinu Orchestral Works
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