Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. (Available now to download.)
Ranging from 1927 to 1959, the year of Martinů’s death, these four works reveal his unceasing versatility in chamber repertoire. La revue de cuisine, heard here in a recent reconstruction of the original complete score, is a supreme example of Martinů’s jazz style. In Les rondes he evokes his Moravian folk heritage. The Harpsichord Concerto is resourcefully scored and brilliantly crafted, whilst Chamber Music No. 1 (‘Les fêtes nocturnes’), one of his last works, sees no cessation of his invention nor of his delight in atmospheric colour. This disc catches the composer in the full flood of fluency and the four works are uniquely coupled in our disc.
Bohuslav Martinu: Harpsichord Concerto, H. 246
I. Poco allegro
II. Adagio
III. Allegretto
Bohuslav Martinu: Musique de chambre No. 1, H. 376
I. Allegretto moderato
II. Andante moderato
III. Poco allegro
Bohuslav Martinu: Les rondes, H. 200
I. Poco allegro
II. Poco andantino
III. Allegro
IV. Tempo di valse
V. Andantino
VI. Allegro vivo
Bohuslav Martinu: La revue de cuisine, H. 161
Prologue: Allegretto
Introduction: Tempo di marche
Danse du moulinet autour du chaudron: Poco meno
Danse du chaudron et du couvercle: Allegro
Tango (Danse d'amour): Lento
Duel: Poco a poco allegro. Tempo di charleston
Entr'acte (Lamentation du chaudron): Allegro moderato
Marche funebre: Adagio
Danse radieuse: Tempo di marche
Fin du drame: Allegretto
August 2012
“The performances here are first rate as is the vibrant recorded sound. The instrumentalists all receive due recognition in the notes and it would be churlish of me to single out any one of them — such is the excellence of the ensemble. Furthermore, Klaus Simon clearly has the measure of Martinu’s music.”
Click on any of the works listed above for alternative recordings.
I. Poco allegro
