Hullo, Everyone!

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

Why taken aback? Is it controversial to say Chopin's piano music is better than his orchestral? Is Sibelius known for his piano music? Not all composers excel equally in all areas.

Good question Ken B.  You'll remember my allusion to the Bourgeois Gentilhomme who late in life learns the difference between poetry and prose.  My idiosyncrasy, really; I have never distinguished Debussy's orchestral work from his keyboard work and chamber work.  I don't do that with other composers, that I can think of anyway.  I readily agree that few composers' work excels in all areas of musical form.  Debussy's oeuvre seems all of a piece to me and I never consciously recognized that until our conversation thread!  This may be suggestive of his great genius, as clumsily perceived by yours truly, or revealing only of my own, as I say, idiosyncrasy.  I believe I hear, and sometimes see, the same colorings and inner voices in the different forms and I can honestly say that I never think, 'oh, let's hear some of Debussy's keyboard work, or something symphonic.'  It's always Debussy.  La Mer, is a possible exception, I listen to it deliberately and so often it transcends any definition of musical form, it is the Sea and different conductors and orchestras show me different seas.   I hope I don't need counseling!  I once saw the score to La Mer  - it is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen; he used different colors to identify his revisions.  If there are musicological explanations and analyses that differentiate Debussy's techniques across forms I would be glad to learn them. I'll take a look at Grove tonight!

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

Splendid! I knew you would love Martinu.

I fear it's more than love - we're talking a new arrival to ZauberdrachenNr.7's Top Ten. Thanks again.

[Mirror Image]

I fear it's more than love - we're talking a new arrival to ZauberdrachenNr.7's Top Ten. Thanks again.

Wow, that's excellent. I love Martinu's music. The symphonies are definitely a great place to start. Check out either Bryden Thomson's set on Chandos or Jiri Belohlavek's set on Onyx. Both get a strong recommendation from me. If you need any more recommendations, then don't hesitate to ask any of us. You may want to visit Martinu's composer thread, too, whenever you get the chance. Lots of good stuff there.

http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,3689.msg89304.html#msg89304

[Ken B]

Wow, that's excellent. I love Martinu's music. The symphonies are definitely a great place to start. Check out either Bryden Thomson's set on Chandos or Jiri Belohlavek's set on Onyx. Both get a strong recommendation from me. If you need any more recommendations, then don't hesitate to ask any of us. You may want to visit Martinu's composer thread, too, whenever you get the chance. Lots of good stuff there.

http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,3689.msg89304.html#msg89304

I second these. I have only heard one of Jarvi, a Bis recording on Brilliant, and it was fine. I was unhappy with the Naxos symphonies. This music demands super tight ensemble playing that was lacking. The RCA Red Seal was OK, but not up to the ones John mentions. Charles MacKerras is excellent in a lot of stuff with Martinu.
The chamber music on Naxos is excellent.
Martinu's own favorite was the double concerto. The piano music is nice, but not echt Martinu.

[Mirror Image]

I second these. I have only heard one of Jarvi, a Bis recording on Brilliant, and it was fine. I was unhappy with the Naxos symphonies. This music demands super tight ensemble playing that was lacking. The RCA Red Seal was OK, but not up to the ones John mentions. Charles MacKerras is excellent in a lot of stuff with Martinu.
The chamber music on Naxos is excellent.
Martinu's own favorite was the double concerto. The piano music is nice, but not echt Martinu.

Mackerras was good in Martinu no question about it. I just wished he had recorded more of his music, especially the complete opera of Julietta. But we did get some fine recordings like the opera The Greek Passion and Field Mass. Yes, Mackerras did record Concerto for Double String Orchestra, but I find Belohlavek's on Chandos w/ the CzPO more rhythmically tight. Also, I can heartily recommend the 'French' Neoclassical ballets (Le Raid merveilleux, La Revue de Cuisine, and On Tourne for example). The concertante works are also worth checking out. I love the VCs, CCs, and the Oboe Concerto. Really top-notch works.

Anyway, I could go on and on about Martinu, but I'm already boring myself.

[North Star]

And don't forget the Nonet No. 2 and other chamber works!
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[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

Martinu is really something special to me - thanks, the three of you!!!

[North Star]

Some more Martinu
Julietta fragments
http://www.youtube.com/v/GivjecigO1g http://www.youtube.com/v/kRQM6n0cG1o

The Epic of Gilgamesh
http://www.youtube.com/v/8clFm_bvj1s

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

Am considering legally changing my username to:  Zauberdrachenů

[Mirror Image]

Am considering legally changing my username to:  Zauberdrachenů

[North Star]

Am considering legally changing my username to:  Zauberdrachenů

Splendid, that would help with writing Martinů's name correctly on the forums, too

[Karl Henning]

Splendid, that would help with writing Martinů's name correctly on the forums, too

Sez yoů!

[North Star]

Sez yoů!

There could be another way too, hůh!