When these three discs of Martinu's symphonies were originally released in 1987-88, the critics were unanimous. Neeme Järvi's interpretation, the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra's playing and...

When these three discs of Martinu's symphonies were originally released in 1987-88, the critics were unanimous. Neeme Järvi's interpretation, the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra's playing and - not to be forgotten - the BIS sound, made this a release to be remembered. A prolific composer in most genres, Martinu came fairly late to the symphonic form. All of the 6 symphonies were written in the USA, where he arrived in 1941 as a fugitive from the Nazis. The success was immediate and the works were taken up by some of the greatest conductors of the time. Ansermet, for instance, maintained that 'among all the musicians in his generation, Martinu can be characterized as the really great symphonist'. With some justification it may be said that these works have been unjustly neglected, and it is with great pride that we now offer a new generation of listeners the opportunity to acquaint themselves with Martinu the symphonist in thse classic versions at a very affordable price.