Indy/Martinu Orchestral Works
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Bohuslav (Jan) Martinu, (Paul Marie Théodore) Vincent D'Indy
Label: Conifer Classics
Magazine Review Date: 6/1987
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 48
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: CDCF146
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Symphonie sur un chant montagnard français |
(Paul Marie Théodore) Vincent D'Indy, Composer
(Paul Marie Théodore) Vincent D'Indy, Composer Berne Symphony Orchestra Michel Block, Piano Peter Maag, Conductor |
| Rhapsody-Concerto for Viola and Orchestra |
Bohuslav (Jan) Martinu, Composer
Berne Symphony Orchestra Bohuslav (Jan) Martinu, Composer Peter Maag, Conductor Rivka Golani, Viola |
Composer or Director: Bohuslav (Jan) Martinu, (Paul Marie Théodore) Vincent D'Indy
Label: Conifer Classics
Magazine Review Date: 6/1987
Media Format: Cassette
Media Runtime: 0
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: MCFC146
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Symphonie sur un chant montagnard français |
(Paul Marie Théodore) Vincent D'Indy, Composer
(Paul Marie Théodore) Vincent D'Indy, Composer Berne Symphony Orchestra Michel Block, Piano Peter Maag, Conductor |
| Rhapsody-Concerto for Viola and Orchestra |
Bohuslav (Jan) Martinu, Composer
Berne Symphony Orchestra Bohuslav (Jan) Martinu, Composer Peter Maag, Conductor Rivka Golani, Viola |
Composer or Director: Bohuslav (Jan) Martinu, (Paul Marie Théodore) Vincent D'Indy
Label: Conifer Classics
Magazine Review Date: 6/1987
Media Format: Vinyl
Media Runtime: 0
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: CFC146
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Symphonie sur un chant montagnard français |
(Paul Marie Théodore) Vincent D'Indy, Composer
(Paul Marie Théodore) Vincent D'Indy, Composer Berne Symphony Orchestra Michel Block, Piano Peter Maag, Conductor |
| Rhapsody-Concerto for Viola and Orchestra |
Bohuslav (Jan) Martinu, Composer
Berne Symphony Orchestra Bohuslav (Jan) Martinu, Composer Peter Maag, Conductor Rivka Golani, Viola |
Author: Robert Layton
Really rather an odd coupling, though a rewarding one: the Martinu Rhapsody-Concerto is placed first, the d'Indy Symphonie occupying the reverse side. I can't imagine what connects the two, save for the fact that neither is really a concerto. The Martinu is not quite a viola concerto, for though there are the elements of dialogue and display we associate with the genre, it is primarily gentle and reflective. The d'Indy is not quite a symphony nor quite a concertante work, for although the piano part employs a wide range of keyboard devices, it eschews virtuosity and belongs more to the world of the Faure Ballade or the Franck Symphonic Variations. In the d'Indy this new record currently has the field to itself—indeed, d'Indy remains unrepresented on CD.
The MartinuRhapsody-Concerto comes from 1952, a year before the Sixth Symphony (the Fantaisies symphoniques) and first appeared on a Panton LP (8110 0024, 3/81—nla) played by Lubomir Maly and the Prague Symphony Orchestra under Vaclav Smetacek. I mention its date since there is some foreshadowing of the Fantaisies symphoniques, particularly in the second movement, and the note does not place it specifically in time. It is a two-movement work, free in its formal layout, imaginative: the quieter episodes have an inner repose and melancholy that are far more moving here than in the Smetacek performance.
There is nothing spectacular or high-powered about this account of theRhapsody-Concerto under Peter Maag. In fact, I first thought the opening needed to be held on a tighter rein but soon warmed to the great naturalness and breadth with which the music unfolds in his hands. As admirers of this conductor will expect, this is a selfless performance of the old school that allows Martinu to speak for himself without any attempt at interpretative point-making, yet there is no want of personality. The viola soloist, Rivka Golani is a wonderful artist and plays with a gloriously warm tone and much musical insight. If this reading is more leisurely than the tauter version by Smetacek, it is also more thoughtful. The Smetacek has a clear sense of direction and momentum while Peter Maag, by taking his time, penetrates deeper under the surface. The sound makes no attempt to be sensational either: the balance is that of a very fine broadcast rather than a seat in a concert hall; but detail is kept in an excellent and believable perspective.
Older readers may remember that Michel Block won Rubinstein's acclaim at Warsaw in the year that Pollini came to prominence and went on to make a fine DG recording of Chopin's B flat minor Sonata. Since then he has been active teaching: the late-lamented Terence Judd was one of his pupils. (I mention this since no information about either soloist is offered on the sleeve.) He is a sensitive player and gives a sympathetic account of d'Indy's Symphonie sur un chant montagnard francais. The recording, made in the Casino, Berne, is well balanced, with the piano slightly but not unrealistically forward, and again benefits from a well-judged perspective: it could perhaps open out more at climaxes. Recommended, especially for the Martinu, which is one of the finest works of his last period.'
The Martinu
There is nothing spectacular or high-powered about this account of the
Older readers may remember that Michel Block won Rubinstein's acclaim at Warsaw in the year that Pollini came to prominence and went on to make a fine DG recording of Chopin's B flat minor Sonata. Since then he has been active teaching: the late-lamented Terence Judd was one of his pupils. (I mention this since no information about either soloist is offered on the sleeve.) He is a sensitive player and gives a sympathetic account of d'Indy's Symphonie sur un chant montagnard francais. The recording, made in the Casino, Berne, is well balanced, with the piano slightly but not unrealistically forward, and again benefits from a well-judged perspective: it could perhaps open out more at climaxes. Recommended, especially for the Martinu, which is one of the finest works of his last period.'
Indy/Martinu Orchestral Works
Indy/Martinu Orchestral Works
Indy/Martinu Orchestral Works
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