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Three Martinu Masterpieces

Nicholas T. Follansbee | 09/03/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Field Mass, which lasts about 25 minutes, was written in the last months of 1939 as Martinu watched from Paris his homeland being plunged into the horror of war and occupation. Actually, what was left of Czechoslovakia after Munich had been bloodlessly taken over by Hitler earlier that year, but neighboring Poland suffered the full violence of the nazi onslaught. In any case, the mass is men praying for their lives and it is terribly moving. The baritone (Vaclav Zitek) and men's chorus are superb. The small wind orchestra with harmonium, percussion and piano provides a bright, clear, at times even delightful accompaniment. The composition is marvelously direct and must easily rank as one of Martinu's best. Very enjoyable.



The Double Concerto for two string orchestras, piano and percussion, is breathtaking in its ferocious drive. Yes, one thinks of Bartok, but the comparison is rather superficial - it is Martinu, through and through, and a bitter protest of the Munich accords which stripped his homeland of its defenses opening the way for nazi conquest. It is generally considered his masterpiece along with, perhaps, the 3rd Symphony.



The Frescos are gorgeous, with at times an almost Straussian opulence. They are really a 1955-56 revival of the tone poem, and I suspect Martinu may have paid hommage to Strauss and Respighi in a couple of places. Martinu's orchestration is luminous. Early in his career, Martinu, was under the spell of Debussy and Ravel, and the Frescos return to that sensibility. They also have the rhythmic complexity and drive that animates so much of Martinu's music.



So, three highly different samples of Martinu's best, in superb performances. The strings at the beginning of the Frescos may be a little bright and thin, but overall the recording seems excellent, though I do not listen on top quality equipment so I might not be the best judge of this."