Search - Bohuslav Martinu, Feinstein Ensemble, Alan Brown :: Martinu: Flute Trios; Promenades; Madrigal Sonata

MARTINU AT HIS MOST CAPTIVATING

Melvyn M. Sobel | Freeport (Long Island), New York | 06/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From the very opening of the Trio for Flute, Cello and Piano, I was taken in completely. Egad! What an enchanting, ingratiating and bubbly first movement! Martinu at his most affable and accessible. The work continues with an absolutely gorgeous, melodic Adagio and concludes with a third movement Andante-Allegretto every bit as beguiling as the opening Poco Allegretto. The CD would be worth owning for this trio alone. However, the delights don't cease here.



The Trio for Flute, Violin and Piano is a four movement affair with as much inspiration, depth and loveliness as its sister trio. The Adagio, most moving, should be particularly noted here. And the other movement? Absolutely infectious!



With the Promenades for Flute, Violin and Harpsichord (yes, harpsichord), Martinu titillates us with twentieth century twist on a baroque combination that would no doubt delight Papa Bach easily. The interplay between instruments is clever, pleasing and inventive.



Concluding the CD is the two-movement Madrigal Sonata for Flute, Violin and Piano. Rather "jazzy," and somewhat reminiscent of a theme or two from Bernstein's West Side Story, this piece has a "New York feel" to it that I truly enjoy.



If I were to select one Martinu chamber works CD that was musically, intellectually and emotionally satisfying, this would be it. Special praise should be given to each and every member of the Feinstein Ensemble for the glorious mutuality of their playing and for their musical empathy. And, as if this wasn't enough, Naxos has garnered a beautiful, realstic sound image.



[Running time: 54:41]"

"Piper, pipe that song again--"

Ed Luhrs | Long Island, NY USA | 03/04/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If this recording is an indication of Martinu at his prime, then I would certainly like to hear more. These works are entirely childlike, playful, and fun. They're like a stroll through grassy meadows and a trip to the circus all rolled into one. The composer has been ripped by more than one critic for being sloppy... lacking a sense of internal cohesion, you might say. I'm sure he's written some duds, but I get the sense that a lot of his good stuff has yet to gain a wider audience. In these chamber pieces, the sloppiness is a major part of the fun. The flute, violin, cello, piano, and harpsichord are alternately strutting around, having water fights on a summer day, getting peanut butter and jelly all over their faces, sulking, barking at the moon, and plopping down in the dirt. To me, the music personifies youth and an impetuous innocence, seasoned with a little bit of adult experience (hence the title of my review, from Blake's "Songs of Innocence.") This is absolutely great music for kids and kids at heart. It's a nice supplement to "bringing up baby on Bach.""

5 for the flute lover - perhaps a 4 for others

Biblibio | 10/01/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"No, you do not have to LOVE the flute to love this album. However, a bit of appreciation certainly helps. This is a CD full of charming and delightful tunes. It is thoroughly enjoyable, entertaining, and positively lovely.



Martinu's chamber pieces are all extremely varied and different, however they are all fun to listen. Some are perhaps a tad bit more dull than others, but mostly this CD is just great fun to listen to. There are many different instruments used here, from flutes, to cellos, to pianos, to a piece that introduces the harpsichord and could sound positively Baroque were it not for the music itself. These twists on old ideas lead to a very diverse and enjoyable disc.



Different styles, charming flutes... if you can't fully appreciate the flute than, a. Learn to appreciate it, and b. This may not be the disc for you. For everyone else (ESPECIALLY the flute/Martinu lover!), this CD is a perfect buy. It is an inexpensive, delightful CD that will make you smile upon hearing it."