Search - Bohuslav Martinu, Arthur Fagen, National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine :: Martinu: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 6 ("Fantaisies symphoniques")

An excellent recording!

12/15/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is worth three times the price. The sound quality is superb, the strings shimmering, the ensemble excellent, and the music inspiring! Martinu is the most underrated composer of this century. An excellent and inventive composer, he knows how to put it all together. You won't be disappointed by the music or the quality of the recording. A terrific bargain!"

Mark is right

Michael E. Karman | Portland, OR USA | 12/02/2006

(1 out of 5 stars)

"If you've never heard any Martinu before, this set might pass for current. I can't think of any other way it would. It's a hideous performance. If you love Martinu's music, or even if you just mildly like it, avoid this recording. Bad performances can often be revelatory. I heard a live performance of Mahler's seventh once that stumbled over every transition. But I learned more about that symphony's structure from that gawky concert than I ever had from Bernstein's near perfect recording. I'm afraid, however, that the only thing this Martinu disc reveals is how badly Mr. Fagen conducts, in this performance at least."