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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This CD is a reissue of a 1992 Chandos disc featuring the eminent cellist Raphael Wallfisch, with Jirí Belohlávek conducting the Czech Philharmonic. It was applauded when it came out and quickly became the definitive recorded version of the 1st and 2nd cello concertos and the cello concertino. Martinu wrote four works for solo cello and orchestra as well as four other works for concertante groups including the cello. They are luscious, lively works with an air of spontaneity, dare I say improvisation, about them that is typical of Martinu. The 1st Concerto (1930, rev. 1939 and 1955, and played here in the final version for full orchestra; the original was for chamber orchestra) is notable for the beauty of its themes and its scintillating orchestration. The first trumpet has a blazing tune at the very beginning of the first movement and then has a long, lovely slow bluesy tune in the slow movement. The latter reminds me a bit of the slow movement's trumpet tune in Gershwin's Concerto in F. The Second Concerto (1944-45), scored for chamber orchestra and soloist, opens with a swinging melody that recurs throughout played with dark and delicious tone by Wallfisch. The end of the first movement is one of the most beautiful things Martinu ever wrote. It is a heartfelt song that makes me tear up each time I hear it. And its middle movement continues the mood. The finale is a romp with frequent accent displacements and Martinu's use of triadic scrims through which one hears the main melodies. The cellist's last movement cadenza is suddenly introspective, even soul-searcing. The Concertino (1924), a one movement work lasting fourteen minutes, is a sassy thing is for cello, wind instruments, piano and percussion. It is filled with angular rhythms, Stravinskyan dry humor and perky wind, percussion and obbligato piano licks.
This is a must-have for any admirer of Martinu, especially at its mid-price.
Scott Morrison
This is a must-have for any admirer of Martinu, especially at its mid-price.
Scott Morrison
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3 reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Three Cello Concertos by Martinu, Gloriously Played
25 Aug 2009
Format:Audio CD
This CD is a reissue of a 1992 Chandos disc featuring the eminent cellist Raphael Wallfisch, with Jirí Belohlávek conducting the Czech Philharmonic. It was applauded when it came out and quickly became the definitive recorded version of the 1st and 2nd cello concertos and the cello concertino. Martinu wrote four works for solo cello and orchestra as well as four other works for concertante groups including the cello. They are luscious, lively works with an air of spontaneity, dare I say improvisation, about them that is typical of Martinu. The 1st Concerto (1930, rev. 1939 and 1955, and played here in the final version for full orchestra; the original was for chamber orchestra) is notable for the beauty of its themes and its scintillating orchestration. The first trumpet has a blazing tune at the very beginning of the first movement and then has a long, lovely slow bluesy tune in the slow movement. The latter reminds me a bit of the slow movement's trumpet tune in Gershwin's Concerto in F. The Second Concerto (1944-45), scored for chamber orchestra and soloist, opens with a swinging melody that recurs throughout played with dark and delicious tone by Wallfisch. The end of the first movement is one of the most beautiful things Martinu ever wrote. It is a heartfelt song that makes me tear up each time I hear it. And its middle movement continues the mood. The finale is a romp with frequent accent displacements and Martinu's use of triadic scrims through which one hears the main melodies. The cellist's last movement cadenza is suddenly introspective, even soul-searcing. The Concertino (1924), a one movement work lasting fourteen minutes, is a sassy thing is for cello, wind instruments, piano and percussion. It is filled with angular rhythms, Stravinskyan dry humor and perky wind, percussion and obbligato piano licks.
This is a must-have for any admirer of Martinu, especially at its mid-price.
Scott Morrison
This is a must-have for any admirer of Martinu, especially at its mid-price.
Scott Morrison
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
An absolutely wonderful release; a must-have
12 Sep 2010
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The two cello concertos are among Martinu's strongest works, and in fact among the greatest cello concertos ever written (I imagine that Martinu's rather rhapsodic style lends itself particularly well to concertante work as opposed to, say, symphonies, but my impression might be based on the fact that Martinu obviously had a knack for the concerto format). It is a shame that they aren't more frequently encountered in the concert halls or on disc, but then one could hardly ask for more convincing accounts than these Chandos one with Raphael Wallfisch and the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Jiri Belohlávek.
The first concerto is a highly virtuosic work (and not only for the cello soloist). It opens vigorously and merrily, but the merriment is soon offset by some absolutely marvelous, wistful music for the cello. The second movement is gorgeous, the kind of movement where one as a listener is tempted to just lie back and float along on the multitude of superb ideas, the wonderful scoring and the stirring build-up to the movement's two orchestral climaxes. The finale is overall lighter and more buoyant, but a fully convincing conclusion to the work.
The second concerto is an ambitious undertaking, clocking in at a little over 36 minutes on this recording. And maybe the slow movement is a tad too long? In any case, as a work it is more introvert and lyrical, more overtly romantic, than the earlier concerto. And it contains some absolutely haunting music, all the way up to the masterly conceived, light-hearted finale. The single-movement Concertino is scored for solo cello and a small orchestra without strings. It is an early work, neo-Baroque in which humorous touches abound and the tunes are strong enough to sustain the listener's interest throughout, without being anywhere close to the league of the concertos.
As I suggested above, the performances are absolutely scintillating throughout. Wallfisch is unfazed by the technical challenges, but more importantly seems to be a complete master of the style, finding aching, haunting beauty in the more wistful parts and the right combination of smoldering drama, warm tone and rhapsodic light-heartedness in everything else - this is truly outstanding solo playing. Still, the orchestral performances are, if anything, equally impressive, fully attentive to details, colors and textures while at the same time achieving a marvelous overall sweep and forward momentum (listen, in particular, for some breath-taking brass playing). The recording is top-notch in every respect. An absolutely unmissable issue, urgently recommended.
The first concerto is a highly virtuosic work (and not only for the cello soloist). It opens vigorously and merrily, but the merriment is soon offset by some absolutely marvelous, wistful music for the cello. The second movement is gorgeous, the kind of movement where one as a listener is tempted to just lie back and float along on the multitude of superb ideas, the wonderful scoring and the stirring build-up to the movement's two orchestral climaxes. The finale is overall lighter and more buoyant, but a fully convincing conclusion to the work.
The second concerto is an ambitious undertaking, clocking in at a little over 36 minutes on this recording. And maybe the slow movement is a tad too long? In any case, as a work it is more introvert and lyrical, more overtly romantic, than the earlier concerto. And it contains some absolutely haunting music, all the way up to the masterly conceived, light-hearted finale. The single-movement Concertino is scored for solo cello and a small orchestra without strings. It is an early work, neo-Baroque in which humorous touches abound and the tunes are strong enough to sustain the listener's interest throughout, without being anywhere close to the league of the concertos.
As I suggested above, the performances are absolutely scintillating throughout. Wallfisch is unfazed by the technical challenges, but more importantly seems to be a complete master of the style, finding aching, haunting beauty in the more wistful parts and the right combination of smoldering drama, warm tone and rhapsodic light-heartedness in everything else - this is truly outstanding solo playing. Still, the orchestral performances are, if anything, equally impressive, fully attentive to details, colors and textures while at the same time achieving a marvelous overall sweep and forward momentum (listen, in particular, for some breath-taking brass playing). The recording is top-notch in every respect. An absolutely unmissable issue, urgently recommended.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
~Absolutely Beatiful Music~
29 Jan 2011
Format:Audio CD
After listening to this album, I was prepared to write a 5 star review until I read what others have said about this music. Now, all I can say is that I fully agree with the other two reviews that expound on the beauty & grandeur of these recordings. The two cello concertos really blew me away with their grand, gentle beauty; the cello sounds as eloquent as I've ever heard & the orchestra played with great soothing gentlesness...ravishing! The work for cello, winds, piano & percussion is a great addition as well. If you are new to Martinu, or looking to add to your collection, I think you will be very pleased with this CD as it is an absolutely beautiful introduction to this remarkable composer or a great addition to your collection. I once read, "There is a no more beautiful sound than a symphony orchestra playing softly" and add to it the virtuoso cello renditions here and there you have it: a collection of masterpieces played at their best!! Highly recommended listening, enjoy & God bless :-)
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