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Martinu: La Jolla, Toccata, Concerto Grosso / Josef Hála, Petr Jiríkovsky, Ondrej Kukal, Et Al
Supraphon

Martinu: La Jolla, Toccata, Concerto Grosso / Josef Hála, Petr Jiríkovsky, Ondrej Kukal, Et Al

$25.99

Details

Composer
MARTINU, BOHUSLAV
Artist
Kukal, Hala, Jirikovsky
Format
CD
Label
Supraphon
Released
Oct 17, 2008
Catalog #
SU3958-2
UPC
099925395827

About


This splendid disc was originally released on the Panton label, but happily reappears here on Supraphon. The fact that the conductorless Prague Chamber Orchestra can play this rhythmically tricky music with such confidence bespeaks long familiarity with Martinu's personal idiom. These are, one and all, fabulous pieces, particularly the Toccata e due canzone, a masterwork if ever there was one, and a much darker and more emotionally draining essay than the neo-baroque title might suggest.

Here's the bottom line: these are simply the finest versions of all three works. Tempos are lively, balances true, those long, syncopated, lyrical cantilenas in the first movements of the Tocatta and Sinfonietta soar as if self-propelled. No detail of Martinu's ceaselessly inventive orchestration passes unobserved, and his busy rhythms and obsessive ostinatos never turn mechanical (a potential issue in the Concerto Grosso especially). As usual, the Czech woodwinds (oboes especially) are a joy, and pianist Josef Hála plays delightfully in all three pieces. Excellent sonics offer an ideal combination of warmth and clarity. It doesn't get any better than this.

--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com

Tracklist 9 tracks

  1. 1 I. Poco allegro 05:53
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Poco allegro
    Duration
    05:53
    Composer
    Bohuslav Martinů
    Performer
    Josef Hála
    Ensemble
    Prague Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Ondřej Kukal
  2. 2 II. Largo - Andante moderato 07:54
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Largo - Andante moderato
    Duration
    07:54
    Composer
    Bohuslav Martinů
    Performer
    Josef Hála
    Ensemble
    Prague Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Ondřej Kukal
  3. 3 III. Allegro 05:45
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Allegro
    Duration
    05:45
    Composer
    Bohuslav Martinů
    Performer
    Josef Hála
    Ensemble
    Prague Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Ondřej Kukal
  4. 4 I. Toccata: Allegro moderato 07:42
    Track
    4
    Title
    I. Toccata: Allegro moderato
    Duration
    07:42
    Composer
    Bohuslav Martinů
    Performer
    Josef Hála
    Ensemble
    Prague Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Ondřej Kukal
  5. 5 II. Canzone No. 1: Andante moderato 07:38
    Track
    5
    Title
    II. Canzone No. 1: Andante moderato
    Duration
    07:38
    Composer
    Bohuslav Martinů
    Performer
    Josef Hála
    Ensemble
    Prague Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Ondřej Kukal
  6. 6 III. Canzone No. 2: Allegro 09:20
    Track
    6
    Title
    III. Canzone No. 2: Allegro
    Duration
    09:20
    Composer
    Bohuslav Martinů
    Performer
    Josef Hála
    Ensemble
    Prague Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Ondřej Kukal
  7. 7 I. Allgero ma non troppo 04:34
    Track
    7
    Title
    I. Allgero ma non troppo
    Duration
    04:34
    Composer
    Bohuslav Martinů
    Performer
    Josef Hála, Petr Jiříkovský
    Ensemble
    Prague Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Ondřej Kukal
  8. 8 II. Adagio 05:26
    Track
    8
    Title
    II. Adagio
    Duration
    05:26
    Composer
    Bohuslav Martinů
    Performer
    Josef Hála, Petr Jiříkovský
    Ensemble
    Prague Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Ondřej Kukal
  9. 9 III. Allegretto 04:38
    Track
    9
    Title
    III. Allegretto
    Duration
    04:38
    Composer
    Bohuslav Martinů
    Performer
    Josef Hála, Petr Jiříkovský
    Ensemble
    Prague Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Ondřej Kukal