Martinu

[Barbirollians]

One of the all too unsung great composers of the 20th century. The more I hear of his music the more I love it - the Belohlavek recordings of the symphonies , the Cello Concertos , Suk in the viola rhapsody and violin concertos and now a deleted 2 disc set from RCA of solo piano music and the piano concertos 2-4 with Firkusny .

Endlessly inventive and interesting .

What other works and performances do forumites recommend?

[Bryn]

Martin's opera Julietta/Juliette is a firm favourite of mine, and of at least one other contributor here. There is a recording of the complete work in Czech on Supraphon, and a further disc of extracts from the French version (Juliette), the latter conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras. A PM will secure access to recordings of other broadcast performances of French and English language performances of the work.

Oh, and his Field Mass is a must!

[Paul Campbell]

I would suggest that the string quartets are very worthy of investigation, Barbirollians. I have the Panocha Quartet on Supraphon and greatly enjoy them.

[Don Petter]

I would suggest that the string quartets are very worthy of investigation, Barbirollians. I have the Panocha Quartet on Supraphon and greatly enjoy them.

Also his piano quartet and two piano quintets.

There was a very enjoyable performance of the former on a Oiseau-Lyre LP (SOL 316) by the Richards Piano Quartet: Bernard Roberts (who has sadly just died) with Nona Liddell, Jean Stewart and Bernard Richards.

It was coupled with the Chausson Piano Quartet, and probably never on CD but, dare one whisper it, is currently available as an amateur download (GIYF).

[edashtav]

One of the all too unsung great composers of the 20th century. The more I hear of his music the more I love it - the Belohlavek recordings of the symphonies , the Cello Concertos , Suk in the viola rhapsody and violin concertos and now a deleted 2 disc set from RCA of solo piano music and the piano concertos 2-4 with Firkusny .

Endlessly inventive and interesting .

What other works and performances do forumites recommend?

Try his choral works - both secular and sacred.