I had been without access to a computer for the last few days, and when I eventually got onto the boards last night, 'In memoriam Jiri' appeared, I could not believe what I was suppose to be reading, given his youthful age. First of all, he was one of the greatest interpreter of the music of German and Eastern European music of his generation, his tenure at the helm of the BBC Symphony Orchestra was outstanding (naturally, I was there for the 3 Last Nights he gave), and he was the most modest of men. I was indeed fortunate to attend a drinky do after a Proms concert at the RAH (which might have been Brahms 2 & the Martinu Frescoes della Francesca, or it might not), in the Arena bar as a sort of "Meet our new conductor" thingy. I chatted to him for a bit and even got his autograph (which I don't tend to do, as I don't want to seem to be a little stage door Jonny).
But it is his recordings (particularly the Chandos stuff) that I will cherish the most and I seem to have quite a few in my record collection: so everything is put aside for this Martinu morning.
MARTINU: Symphony No 1 (1942) H.289
Concerto for Double Strings Orchestra, Piano and Timpani (1938) (H.271)
SUK: Asrael Symphony Op 27
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
(leader: Bohumil Kotmel)
conductor Jiri Belohlavek
RIP Jiri
(that should have Suk as composer rather than Martinu, but you know what I mean...)
But it is his recordings (particularly the Chandos stuff) that I will cherish the most and I seem to have quite a few in my record collection: so everything is put aside for this Martinu morning.
MARTINU: Symphony No 1 (1942) H.289
Concerto for Double Strings Orchestra, Piano and Timpani (1938) (H.271)
SUK: Asrael Symphony Op 27
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
(leader: Bohumil Kotmel)
conductor Jiri Belohlavek
RIP Jiri
(that should have Suk as composer rather than Martinu, but you know what I mean...)
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