There are seven Martinu symphony cycles currently (or recently) available, three of which deserve your consideration. Whichever you choose, you must hear this luminous, captivating music!
Thank you so much for this enlightening and helpful review of Martinu symphonies, Dave Hurwitz. I'm 69 in a couple of weeks, quite knowledgeable about music, but by some odd twist of fate I've never heard any Martinu. So far, just yesterday, I've heard the first string quartet, the largo from the first symphony, and now the opening of the first here. I'm already blown away by Martinu's music in a way I can't really express. I agree with you, special, and really something. Strange, dreamlike, somehow. I like a wide range of composers, particularly Beethoven, (ok, I'm a Beethoen nut) it's like I've always been looking for this music. Martinu's life and personality are equally fascinating, so I feel personally I'm standing late in the day at the border of some new, vast, undiscovered country waiting to be explored. Thank you again.
Nice review. I wonder if Martinu was among those composers who was considered passé when academic serialism took over the modern musical world, and now that serialism has itself become largely passé, is being rediscovered for the wonderful composer that he was. At any rate, he wrote a lot of great music!
Serialism never took over the modern musical world. Nor did it take over the academic system. This topic has been researched thoroughly, claims of this sort are completely wrong. In fact, given the fact that these claims have already been thoroughly disproven, claims of this sort approach the status of flagrant lies.
Martinu was spectacularly successful in America in the late 40s and 50s, but when he left the US, his music started to drop off programs. He was far more prominent than Bartok in the US, but from the 1960s on, Bartok became one of the "masters" of modern music. Martinu had no national backing. He was considered a radical modernist when he was young, and then he made his career in France in teh 1920s. In the 1930s his music started to be accepted in Czechoslovakis, but then WWII hit, and he had to move to the US. He was very successful in the US, but after the was he was in contact with younger Czech poets and was putting out feelers about returning to his homeland. He started to be leaned on by American authorities and soon after returned to Europe. The Czech authorities also didn't want him in the homeland, and they leaned on the young poets he had been in contact with. When he died, he was basically depending on the support of some of his patrons.
Isn't it funny how people react differently? I've been a MASSIVE Martinu fan (and I mean massive - I think I've got at least one rendition of everything he wrote that's been recorded on CD, and usually several) since I was lucky enough to discover him in about 1988. He's my favourite composer and I couldn't imagine life without his music. I was really lucky in the timing of my discovery of him, as it was just in the run-up to his centenary in 1990 and it was at the beginning of a big burst of Martinu CD releases - of which I took full advantage! But among the very earliest works that really helped me get to know his music, and fall in love with it, was the symphony cycle on BIS by Neeme Järvi. It was all that was available on CD at the time, and I bought the three separate discs as they came out. (Later they were reissued in a single box by BIS, and then at budget price on Brilliant, but I don't have those versions; I've got the original three CDs with excellent booklets and notes.) So my strongest point here is: DO NOT BELIEVE IT WHEN PEOPLE TELL YOU THAT THE JÄRVI SYMPHONIES ARE SUBSTANDARD! They certainly worked wonders in terms of hooking me on Martinu, and I shall always love - and be grateful to/for - these BIS recordings. I've noticed on several occasions in recent times that it's become fashionable to talk down the Järvi cycle. Often it's trashed and described as being poor or unrepresentative of Martinu's idiom. I'm sorry but that's rubbish. I love the Järvi set as much as any other, and it's most definitely a set that can provide a fine introduction to the composer. Perhaps it would be true to say that the performance is not quite as idiomatic as one by a native Czech… but to my ears this set is a lot better than the Neumann one, which is rather flat and lifeless. In fact, to me - of all the Martinu cycles I've heard - this Järvi set is one of the best for having LIFE. Martinu needs impetus and absolutely needs to dance. People sometimes criticise him for note-spinning, but that ONLY happens when performers don't 'get' his music, and fail to give it the energy and direction it needs. Järvi gives it both of those things in abundance: more, I'd say, than even some of the Czech conductors who should know a lot better! The Järvi set, to me, is actually one of the most committed performances available, which is why my heart always sinks when yet another clever critic destroys it in public. As an aside, I'm a great fan of Järvi generally because it seems to me that he's done the musical world a great service. Throughout his career he was always championing lesser-known composers and undeservedly obscure repertoire, and I shall always be grateful to him for introducing me not just to Martinu's symphonies, but also those of Eduard Tubin - another great favourite composer of mine (thanks to Järvi). By the way, I actually took part in a performance of Mahler 8 given by Järvi many years ago, and it was a stunning experience. I have no recollection of poor ensemble, or whatever the implied criticism of him in this video was supposed to be. He was, and remains, one of the conductors I most admire. Anyway, getting back to Martinu… I personally rate the Järvi cycle very highly, although I'll admit I'm probably not hugely objective about it, given that I've known it and loved it for so long. However, I don't hear any of the supposed sloppy ensemble that's claimed to be there. On the contrary, if there's any 'mush' it's to do with the acoustics of the recording rather than the playing, and I find that this cycle communicates to me at least as well as any other. Indeed, the lovely little 'chorale' that ends Symphony 6 is really spine-tingling in this particular version. What of other cycles? Ironically, the Bryden Thomson set is praised to the skies here, and it's probably the one I most dislike! I generally admire Bryden Thomson's work very much, but his Martinu cycle came as a big disappointment to me; I felt that he just didn't 'get' the music, and totally misjudged the pace of a lot of it. I haven't heard the Fagan Naxos cycle, so can't comment on it… All I'll say is that the opening of Symphony 1 that's played in this RU-vid video seems to me to lack the scintillating magic that I hear in the opening of my much-loved Järvi recording. It just doesn't seem to have the same poise. The Järvi version 'blossoms' like a series of flowers opening! Mind you, the RU-vid audio quality does the recording no favours here. So, I'm sorry to say that there's not a lot of common ground between David Hurwitz and me so far. I think we both feel that the Neumann cycle is a limp let-down, but I really love the Järvi cycle and find the Thomson very disappointing, whereas David's view is precisely the opposite. I don't think we agree about Fagan or Valek either, though I really don't know those versions well enough to comment. So, where can we agree? On the Belohlavek Onyx set. Not *wholly* on Belohlavek, because David doesn't seem very keen on his Chandos or Supraphon unfinished cycles, both of which I like very much. But they are indeed unfinished, which is a real shame. To me, Jiri Belohlavek is THE DEFINITIVE Martinu conductor. You really just can't go wrong with any of his versions of any of Martinu's music; there may be individual pieces where I prefer someone else's version, but there are really no duds. It's tragic that he died so relatively young, and particularly that he didn't complete either his Chandos or Supraphon Martinu symphony cycles. I like both, but the Supraphon one (which was in progress when he died) would, I think, have been definitive. The main thing to say about his Onyx set is that, unfortunately, it's a live recording. That's not to say that there's anything wrong with it; there isn't. You couldn't really ask for a better live recording, and indeed it's a Gramophone Award winner. But it *is* a live recording, whereas his unfinished Chandos and Supraphon cycles were studio recordings. I generally do prefer those, because what you may lose in spontaneity can be more than made up for in terms of producing a superb performance that represents exactly what the conductor wanted. And when the conductor is Belohlavek, a studio recording is worth having. So anyway, I'm happy to go along with the Onyx Belohlavek as the top recommendation for most new listeners. It is indeed a superb set, Belohlavek is the definitive Martinu interpreter, and these are among his best renditions of these works. But I still consider the Järvi set my own personal favourite, so please don't dismiss it quite so casually! As I say, in my case, that Järvi set is largely responsible for making me the Martinu addict that I became.
My first Martinü symphony cycle was the Bamberg conducted by Jarvi and I was instantly smitten. I love it. The Neumann/CPO cycle leaves me cold to be honest, Fagen does nothing for me either.
Merci Monsieur Hallas 👍, j'avais commencé le cycle avec Järvi pour la 1 et 2 chez Bis, il y a longtemps. Je pense le teminer avec Belohlávek et Supraphon pour les 3/4 et 5/6 🙏
I had a vague knowledge of Martinu’s Music, however a performance of his 5th symphony by the Czech Philharmonic in their home Dvorak Hall /Prague began my quest to discover all the symphonies and of course I became a real enthusiast of his music.
I bought the Fagan Naxos Martinů no. 1 & 6 on spec - I hadn't heard any of his work before. But it wasn't expensive so what the heck? I was KNOCKED OUT by the 1st, and to this day, I still love it! Martinů has his own stamp on his work, and yet always fresh!
I am very glad for this video, because I am from the Czech Republic not so far away from Polička, I love Martinu and I think that he is one of the most underrated composers! His music is magical, but still friendly and it has the spirit of czech land. I have the Thomson and RSNOrch cycle with the different cover. Thank You!
The first time I heard a Martinu symphony, I was in Boston and allowed to sit in the hall and hear a Boston Symphony rehearsal. I don't remember who was conducting. I think this was in '00 or '01. I didn't recognize the music they were playing, and assumed it was Stravinsky, but I loved it. Phenomenal music.
I love this video. Great description of why I love Martinu in the first 5 mins.Martinu was the composer that got me into classical music in the first place - specifically hearing the 6th symphony on tv by chance in my early 20's.
PS: IMHO Another great compositions by Martinu are Fresques Piera della Francesca (symphonic poem) and oboe concerto. Have a listen who doesnt know! :-)
I started getting into Martinu when that marvellous wave of discs from Thomson et al started appearing around 1990, and was lucky enough to see Thomson conduct one of the symphonies at the Adelaide Festival around that time. He's a very dynamic conductor on the podium! Chamber players must love Martinu, with all the interesting combinations that he wrote for ... and he's also frequently programmed on disc with the later Czech composer Lukas who was even more prolific - albeit much longer-lived - and also apt to be adventurous in his instrumental combinations.
Having recently discovered your channel and enjoyed hearing your views, I was delighted to hear your enthusiastic advocacy of the Martinu symphonies. Neumann on LP was my introduction to Martinu in the mid-80s, when little competition existed. I still remember how that set cast a spell upon me despite the poor acoustic and awkward side changes. I'll always be grateful to it. I also enjoyed your review of Kytice and hope that you will one day alert people to the wonders of the ballet Spalicek, the four late cantatas, operas such as Julietta or Hry o Marii - I could add many more to the list!
Great to hear Bryden Thomson in your top 3. I've always admired the set. Every time I hear the finale of No. 2 in another performance, I have to put on Bryden's CD to hear the music "dance". Just got to know the music in the Vaclav Neumann performances.The problem is that because the textures are so dense, conductors tend to bring out different melodic lines, so when I acquired new sets by other conductors I sometimes felt I was listening to different music.
You have sent me down a whole new rabbit hole, Dave! I know the name and have a CD or two with shrieky old Russian recordings that are hard to judge, but now I am seriously working through the Fagen cycle and note that he wrote a LOT of music. Chamber music next, I feel - but who knows? 🙂 Thanks again!
I do so enjoy your videos, Dave. As someone who has always had a love of classical music, and a small to medium collection of CDs, I find your disparaging comments of some items (particularly some of the MANY larger box sets) a little disheartening, when I have found them a very useful and exceedingly cost-effective way of hearing new works and new artists. That having been said, I totally understand where you’re coming from, and I have to thank you from the bottom of my heart for introducing me to things I would probably NEVER have considered buying. The Boston Symphony Chamber Players box set, and this set of Martinu symphonies are perfect examples. My musical life is MUCH richer for having been introduced to these CDs by you. Your clear love of what you’re doing is infectious!
A favorite composer. Have Thomson and Järvi, and many other recordings of individual Symphonies. The Onyx sounds fascinating. In the spirit of Martinu, where are the Czech shirts these days?!
David, I really enjoyed your enthusiasm for Martinu! I am in your camp and find Martinu absolutely brilliant in the development of themes for his works. I love the jazz influences in some of his work which shows that this man was definitely living in the 20th century. Why aren't we hearing Martinu in today's symphony orchestral concerts? Yes, there is a "clutter" in his orchestral voices and a never-ending bustle that goes everywhere at once, but Martinu was a modern voice of the symphonic form and wrote some of the best "symphonies" of the 20th century.
Dave, you were absolutely right about the very first notes of that first sample. Wow - thanks for the encouragement! I’m going to dive in ahead of my upcoming trip to Prague.
I love Martinu as well! It was great to listen to this review so full of appreciation! Too bad Claus Peter Flor didn't complete his traversal of these symphonies, he did 5&6, and 1&2, I think. Loved those performances. Arthur Fagen very fine indeed. But for me the greatest Martinu performance ever is Martin Turnovsky's reading of the 4th Symphony. Incredible for rhythmic verve and overall grace.
Martinu was realy a great componist and in the music i hear a great humanistic gesture ,hear him with the great Ancerl,buy martinu !-Järvi war für mich immer zweitklassig der mit dickem Pinsel etwas "hinhaut",siehe auch seinen Berwald Zyklus dabei muß Berwald fein und duchsichtig gespielt werden wie Martinu gleich einer Haydn Sinfonie,was halten Sie bei Martinu von der alten Ansermet Aufnahme?
I believe it was the digitization what harmed the Neumann cycle. As far as I can remember, all the fine details were audible in the original (quadrophonic) LPs...
Indeed, it's so important to get the right recording of these symphonies. The orchestration is dense (perhaps too dense) and it's so easy for a recording or performance to turn into a homogenous blob of sound. I'm even tempted to say that this music should be first encountered through the recording studio, where it's possible to fine tune the balance. The recordings that get it right really highlight what it can be.
Helemaal waar. Apart from the symphonies there’s other orchestral masterpieces that would make a great CD: Les Fresques de Piero della Francesca - The Parables - Les Estampes - Inventions
I love these symphonies. I have the Belohlavek cycle )I saw him conduct all the symphonies shortly before he made the recordings). What I wasn't expecting was such a warm recommendation for the cycle on Naxos, which \i thought of as a bit of an outlier, admittedly without having heard them. Thank you for the suggestion.
I played and recorded the first under Weller... Tremendous fun and amazing music. It's a real discovery if you want to explore music off the beaten track. This should really be mainstream repertoire. Great review!
Wow David, I have the Naxos conducted by Fagen and love it... But wherever there is a review by other critics and on the comments on Amazon it is always put down as the worst... So thank you for your take on it as a good set.
Dear Dave: I fell in love with Martinu about 45 years ago through the second violin concerto in a Supraphon LP (Josef Suk); the piece remains one of my favourite Martinu composition (with no detriment to others, including his excellent chamber music). Your recommendations and comments made me think about your notion of a "consensus" emerging from your followers response to your talks. And, indeed, there is such a consensus: for example, I knew from the beginning of your discussion of Franck's D minor Symphony that the Monteux would be very high in your selection. And most of the others concurred in spite of their own affections. In the case of Martinu, I own the Neumann and the ONYX Belohlavek cycles, plus individual versions by Järvi, Weller and Ancerl (Oh, the great and mighty Karel Ancerl!!). I'll have to explore the Bryden Thomson (whom I know for his British repertoire) and agree completely with you with regards to Sir Charles Mackerras: he SHOULD have recorded the cycle, Alas, in his next incarnation maybe. Thanks again for this enriching series of talks; so enriching in fact that I do not mind the extension of our quarantine! Now, concerning Czech music, I believe it is high time for your thoughts on the "Asrael" Symphony: I am SURE you love it!
I bought the Belohlavek/BBC SO cycle months ago (based on Mr Hurwitz's recommendation). I love it. I listened to the whole cycle at least 4 times and I will do it again. In my opinion the 6 symphony is like one grandiose 6 movement big symphony. Maybe I am wrong but this is my impression after repeated listenings. These symphonies share a great deal of common rhytmic patterns, common thematic material (I am not a musicologist but it seems to me), every symphony continues the previous. Maybe the 6th is a little bit different.
I had the Neumann cycle, first on lp then CD, plus some individual recordings like the Munch/BSO of #6, even the live American premiere of #5 with Ansermet/NBC Symphony. I just got the Chandos Thomson box, and so far have enjoyed the first two symphonies immensely, more than ever, both with and without score in front of me. Thanks for the head up on this Chandos set. Neumann might be about to be shown the door... P.S. This music, like RVW in this country, is not played nearly enough IMO.
I notice you describe Jarvi as sloppy in other chats as well. Anyways, I'm going to bite! Martinu's music as you describe it sounds super intriguing! I'm not going to get the Chandos Thomson set because I don't like Chandos' sound much and usually don't prefer faster tempi. The Belohlavek is expensive. So, I'm cobbling it together with Naxos! I'm excited!
David - greetings from the Penal Colonies. I am so glad that you love Martinu - as do I and his big juicy "sunset" cadences such as the close of the first movement of M1. I have to say (respectfully) that I cannot hear much wrong with Bělohlávek's rump of a cycle on Chandos (and that comment applies equally to the disc of the concertante works for cello). I own one of those Naxos discs and the less said about the Ukrainian orchestra and the recording itself, the better (IMHO). I presume that you are also conversant with those wonderful piano concertos (with Firkusny) and the cello sonatas too - great stuff. As always, please continue to pump out your videos which are a godsend in the current milieu. Best wishes, B
I agree with you regarding Bělohlávek's reading of the 1st on Chandos. I used David's intro as the spark to play this back-to-back with the Fagen reading on Naxos. Although I heard more detail in the latter, Bělohlávek's was also very moving. Originally, I resisted the Naxos cycle (a couple of negative reviews) but, when it went on sale at my local used music shop, I bit. So far, I'm enjoying it very much. Thanks, David, for inspiring me to go a little deeper into Martinu (beside the wonderful Cello Concertos)
This was helpful to me, because I run 'hot and cold' on Martinu. I have some of the symphonies as an attachment to something else I was more interested in. I need to commit to a box, which I'll probably make the Onyx one. Thanks.
Just heard Neuman doing symphonies 2 & 5. My, how Martinu can sing and dance! Have ordered the Belalovek on Onyx. Excuse the spelling. My favorite is the 6th,having owned the original Munch recording.
Great advocacy, thanks. Now, why is it I just cannot get on with the sixth but absolutely adore the first? That said, I feel it is time to fill in with the others.
Thanks so much for this, Mr. Hurwitz. I've recently discovered the Martinu symphonies, and regret it too me so long. This is about cycles, I know, but do you a quick comment on the Karel Ancerl recording of the 5th and 6th with the Czech Phil., released on Supraphon as the Ancerl Gold Edition? I am attracted not just by the price, for a first Martinu, but by the conductor. Thank you.
I fell for the first two discs of the Claus Flor cycle but was unable to come across the third disc. I eventually bought the Jarvi on Brilliant, and have been satisfied, but what do I know?
Many thanks for this, David. Martinu's symphonies are gems. The Thomson set received lukewarm reviews from the usual sources when it first appeared. I steered clear of it until Chandos brought it out at bargain price, sticking to Czech recordings with Ancerl, Neuman, Belohlavek and Turnovsky. The Thomson recordings stunned me, and still do, the RNSO playing magnificently and their conductor completely in synch with Martinu's world. Did those dismissive critics actually listen to these recordings or tell themselves it's Thomson, all he's good for is Bax and one or two other British composers, and mail in their reviews?
You are so right about the Neumann. It was my first exposure to Martinu -- it did not make a good impression. I kept thinking about "The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau."
I've got the Martinu Cycle with Valek and for me it's not so bad :D yes of course it's not like the naxos cycle with arthur fagen but in my humble opinion is good...not so unforgettable, but...there's always worse :)
