Martinu: The 6 Symphonies

• Item name: Bohuslav Martinu: The Symphonies
• Product ty: ABIS MUSIC

Product Description Onyx presents the first complete CD cycle of Martinu s symphonies, performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Jirí Belohlávek. These works, which are a major contribution to 20th century symphonic literature, are still undervalued. Spanning the years surrounding the Second World War, they capture the turmoil, hopes and fears of the composer and his homeland a homeland that suffered unimaginable cruelties under the Nazis. At the end of the war, Martinu was the only major Czech composer of his generation to have survived. Throughout these sometimes-turbulent works, the irrepressible Czech spirit survives. Review The piece won an ovation in this performance, which was marked by consistently virtuosic playing from the orchestra and a sense of easy command from Belohlávek that typifies his control over the music of his homeland. You would have to look long and hard to find this level of advocacy for any composer. --The Guardian on the 4th Symphony Martinu's symphonies tend to divide opinion and have not enjoyed anything like the same exposure as those of his Czech predecessor, Dvorák. But if anyone can find the key to their language, it is Jirí Belohlávek. These fine-tuned, dynamic performances by the BBC Symphony Orchestra stem from a 2009 10 series at the Barbican. Doubters about the music perhaps need not apply, but there is plenty of freshness, verve and expressive wisdom on this set.**** --Daily Telegraph,04/08/11 You won't find a more persuasive champion than Belohlavek,who has the music in his blood. His skill at unravelling Martinu's rhythmic and textual knots-evidenced tme and again in these live performances by the BBC Symphony Orchestra-is such that you immediately sense the statue of the music.The best place to start is the Fourth Symphony:in Belohlavek's hand it sizzles-especially the Allegro vivo,a motorised march that generates fabulous momentum. **** --Financial Times,30/07/11 Anyone beguilled by the capabilities of the modern orchestra or who appreciates a good sense of musical fun should hear Martinu's Symphonies and this is now the recording to turn to. **** --Classic fm Magazine,Oct'11 You won't find a more persuasive champion than Belohlavek,who has the music in his blood. His skill at unravelling Martinu's rhythmic and textual knots-evidenced tme and again in these live performances by the BBC Symphony Orchestra-is such that you immediately sense the statue of the music.The best place to start is the Fourth Symphony:in Belohlavek's hand it sizzles-especially the Allegro vivo,a motorised march that generates fabulous momentum. **** --Financial Times,30/07/11 In short ,Belohlavek and the BBC SO are now my top recommendation for the Martinu symphonies. RECORDING OF THE MONTH EDITORS CHOICE --Gramophone,Oct'11 The finest now available. -- --IRR,Nov'11 Belohlavek captures Martinu s shimmering, luminous orchestral textures and invests the pervasive sprung rhythms of the faster movements with an infectious bounce. His emotional engagement is always complete. --BBC Music Magazine October 2012 You won't find a more persuasive champion than Belohlavek,who has the music in his blood. His skill at unravelling Martinu's rhythmic and textual knots-evidenced tme and again in these live performances by the BBC Symphony Orchestra-is such that you immediately sense the statue of the music.The best place to start is the Fourth Symphony:in Belohlavek's hand it sizzles-especially the Allegro vivo,a motorised march that generates fabulous momentum. **** --Financial Times,30/07/11 Belohlavek captures Martinu s shimmering, luminous orchestral textures and invests the pervasive sprung rhythms of the faster movements with an infectious bounce. His emotional engagement is always complete. --BBC Music Magazine October 2012 BBC RADIO 3 RECORD REVIEW BUILDING A LIBRARY CHOICE 'There is no doubt in my mind that Belohlavek and the BBC Symphony Orchestra give us a Martinu 6th Symphony informed not only by the spark of live performance, but also imbued with a deeper understanding of its workings and what lies behind them than anyone else.' --Jonathan Swain BBC Radio 3 Record Review, 7th May 2016