Compatriot Suk is still seldom played and his Asrael is perhaps the greatest symphony ever written. Still, Martinu's 4th may well be his masterpiece -- here there is a sort of unique and infectious joyfulness combined with a wistful sadness the likes of which I've only ever heard in Tubin's 4th (although overall the latter is gentler) . They were both written at exactly the same time straight after the end of WW2 in Europe. It's great to hear Weller doing it. His live performance of Asrael a couple of years before he died was the best I've ever heard, other than Talich's old recording. For me, Martinu was just a bit too prolific and quite a lot of what I've heard is second rate. The best works, which include virtually all the symphonies, are wonderful and I agree should be performed far more often. Shame on this hearing that Weller didn't record the cycle as there is actually surprisingly little serious competition.
Comme la première lumière de l'aube, cette symphonie ouvre les yeux à de nouvelles promesses et à toutes les merveilles de la nature. Evocatrices de pouvoirs au-delà de l'observation, ces pièces tirent les ficelles du cœur, attirent les nostalgies et réveillent les amours, les vies écorchés et la torpeur des veilleurs endormis 🐾
The composer's orchestration is excellent - he knows the capabilities of each instrument; also, each player - no matter whether strings, woodwind, brass or percussion - must really enjoy playing this work. It has intense rhthym and I can hear the influence of Stravinsky and Albert Roussel. The piano is used as a true percussion instrument! His works are basically tonal and should not scare away those who hate dissonance.
A typical case of - " I know what I like and I like what I know!" Martinu's music is not heard enough outside the Czech Republic, which is unfortunate, though I think this is slowly beginning to change. Belohlavek recently gave performances in London (BBCSO) of the complete symphonies, they were well received and this was a real breakthrough. IMO Martinu is in the top class of composers.
All the major USA orchestras performed all Martinu's symphonies in all the major cities of the USA in the 1940/50's. The lamentable neglect of his music since must somehow be due to the effects of the 'cold war' and a reluctance in the West to promote music associated with Communistic bloc. Time for Martinu's music to come in from the cold, which slowly but surely it is.
If this is true, it is completely stupid since Martinu was anticommunist and could not come back in Czekoslovakia. And as far as I know, Shostakovitch was played in USA.
It lifts my heart to see this. As the big cats play the same music over and over, other orchestras can bring beauties like this to new audiences. Thanks!!!
Technically assured, knows the score and provides his impressively secure sense of line but this is again all Germanic force and drive over the music’s own remarkable character that Thomson and others are alive to; Weller is a degree Furtwanglerized, turning everything into blood and passion. The music indeed has an essential onward impulse but is Czech lightheaded mania, bliss and breeze, not this Teutonic militarism and killer triumph with even the slow mov failing to breathe as it clearly should; no excuse at this late date for not understanding the spirit of Martinu. Made it to the end but exhausting instead of uplifting.
Sometimes I hear little bit of the Jazz inspiration.By the way, Im Czech and I must admit it is the same in the Czech Rep. We have lots of great composers, but large number of Czechs do not know who they were.
From he beginning, we have the feeling that we are going to hear a very vivid symphony - which is the case, even if Martinu knows perfcly how to play with tensions and relaxations, small nervous cells and large themes, tutti and coloured solo sections. It is a quite classical symphony in its mind, but it is highly successful and efficient. A masterwork indeed. Martinu is far away from his compatriot Janacek. Nevertheless, they have some stylistic trends in common.
Der besonders in Großbritannien erfolgreiche und beliebte österreichische Dirigent Walter Weller (Liverpool, London, Schottland) begann als profilierter Konzertmeister der Wiener Philharmoniker und als Gründer des bedeutenden Weller-Quartetts.-. RIP. (vgl, zahlreiche Postings und CDs).
Good to hear(&SEE!)a non-czech performance of Martinu4.The orchestra handle most of the idiosyncratic writing pretty well.The interpretation settles best from the 3rd mvt,the wonderful rich line spun out warmly(but shame the cut at 21.55),then to a blazing finale.Mvt 1 never really takes off,phrasing four-square&hestitant,Scherzo a fraction too fast,sounding rushed&scrambled;even with fine players,Martinu's rythms need time to"speak!" Still very enjoyable,thank you for posting.
An absolutely wonderful performance of a great Martinu symphony. What an unappreciative audience. How could they not have sprung to their feet after this masterful performance?
Stefan Madru I do find it interesting that a Spanish orchestra conducted by the great Austrian Walter Weller has masterfully performed a superb work by the Czech composer Martinu. This of course demonstrates how gifted Walter Weller really was.
Well, Spanish TV orchestra is a quite a good one and with the right conductor it can perform brilliantly. With Walter Weller it was often that way. I am proud to say I was a member of the orchestra at the time of this recording and I remember distinctly how each time Walter Weller would come to conduct us he would boost the orchestra's sound quality. Very easy to work with, very good results. It really is a great loss for the music world and for them, they had a great relationship.
U nás neumíme dostatečně docenit naše velké skladatele po Smetanovi a Dvořákovi. Jak je daleko vyzrálejší interpretace i recepce Janáčka v zahraničí než u nás! Jeden z největších českých géniů Josef Suk by si zasluhoval mnohem více hrát u nás i v zahraničí, hlavně jeho velká orchestrální díla. Martinů je na tom snad nejhůř. Jeho věci se hrají všude velmi zřídka. Jednou jsem byl na koncertě ve Zlíně, kde sídlí filharmonie nesoucí jeho jméno. Na programu byla mimo jiné jedna orchestrální věc od Martinů. Před zahájením koncertu oznámil dirigent Roman Válek do sálu, že to hrát nebudou, a to si říkají Filharmonie Bohuslava Martinů! Místo toho nasadili nějaký populární Bizetův kus...
Herr Elgarianer O to větší sympatie ve mně budí třeba Julia Fischer, která se českou hudbou zabývá s takovým nadšením. V nějakém rozhovoru říkala, že má problém prosadit Martinů na CD - když se chystala nahrát Dvořákův koncert, nedovolil jí vydavatel nahrát jako druhou skladbu na album koncert Martinů, protože by to prý bylo špatně prodejné. Tak místo něj nahráli k Dvořákovi Brucha. Stejný problém je ale prý i s německým skladatelem Hindemithem.
![Josef Suk - Asrael Symphony [National Orchestra of Belgium - Walter Weller]](/img/n.gif)
The most underrated and neglected composer of the twentieth century.
The most underrated and neglected composer of the twentieth century.
Agree totally - but why ?
Compatriot Suk is still seldom played and his Asrael is perhaps the greatest symphony ever written. Still, Martinu's 4th may well be his masterpiece -- here there is a sort of unique and infectious joyfulness combined with a wistful sadness the likes of which I've only ever heard in Tubin's 4th (although overall the latter is gentler) . They were both written at exactly the same time straight after the end of WW2 in Europe. It's great to hear Weller doing it. His live performance of Asrael a couple of years before he died was the best I've ever heard, other than Talich's old recording. For me, Martinu was just a bit too prolific and quite a lot of what I've heard is second rate. The best works, which include virtually all the symphonies, are wonderful and I agree should be performed far more often. Shame on this hearing that Weller didn't record the cycle as there is actually surprisingly little serious competition.
Thank you, Mr. Weller, for this beautiful performance.
Comme la première lumière de l'aube, cette symphonie ouvre les yeux à de nouvelles promesses et à toutes les merveilles de la nature. Evocatrices de pouvoirs au-delà de l'observation, ces pièces tirent les ficelles du cœur, attirent les nostalgies et réveillent les amours, les vies écorchés et la torpeur des veilleurs
endormis 🐾
The composer's orchestration is excellent - he knows the capabilities of each instrument; also, each player - no matter whether strings, woodwind, brass or percussion - must really enjoy playing this work. It has intense rhthym and I can hear the influence of Stravinsky and Albert Roussel. The piano is used as a true percussion instrument! His works are basically tonal and should not scare away those who hate dissonance.
A typical case of - " I know what I like and I like what I know!" Martinu's music is not heard enough outside the Czech Republic, which is unfortunate, though I think this is slowly beginning to change. Belohlavek recently gave performances in London (BBCSO) of the complete symphonies, they were well received and this was a real breakthrough. IMO Martinu is in the top class of composers.
All the major USA orchestras performed all Martinu's symphonies in all the major cities of the USA in the 1940/50's. The lamentable neglect of his music since must somehow be due to the effects of the 'cold war' and a reluctance in the West to promote music associated with Communistic bloc. Time for Martinu's music to come in from the cold, which slowly but surely it is.
I can only agree with all of the positive comments made about this.
If this is true, it is completely stupid since Martinu was anticommunist and could not come back in Czekoslovakia. And as far as I know, Shostakovitch was played in USA.
Great Performance!
Walter Weller is the very best conductor for the Martinu-Symphonies!
around minute 17 it is getting really interesting , Martinu needs to be listened to more than once ,it just grows on you
True!
The final movement is amazing and the coda is electrifying! My favorite part of this symphony.
Farewell Maestro..... Thank you for this concert and for all the others. It was always a pleasure to work with you. Rest in peace.
Stefan Madru The world has lost a great musician, Walter Weller. Yes, rest in peace and thank you for what you have left behind.
Great performance of this great symphony. Walter Weller was a fine conductor.
It lifts my heart to see this. As the big cats play the same music over and over, other orchestras can bring beauties like this to new audiences. Thanks!!!
Technically assured, knows the score and provides his impressively secure sense of line but this is again all Germanic force and drive over the music’s own remarkable character that Thomson and others are alive to; Weller is a degree Furtwanglerized, turning everything into blood and passion. The music indeed has an essential onward impulse but is Czech lightheaded mania, bliss and breeze, not this Teutonic militarism and killer triumph with even the slow mov failing to breathe as it clearly should; no excuse at this late date for not understanding the spirit of Martinu. Made it to the end but exhausting instead of uplifting.
as with your other posts of Martinu, thank you for these excellent posts.
Sometimes I hear little bit of the Jazz inspiration.By the way, Im Czech and I must admit it is the same in the Czech Rep. We have lots of great composers, but large number of Czechs do not know who they were.
From he beginning, we have the feeling that we are going to hear a very vivid symphony - which is the case, even if Martinu knows perfcly how to play with tensions and relaxations, small nervous cells and large themes, tutti and coloured solo sections. It is a quite classical symphony in its mind, but it is highly successful and efficient. A masterwork indeed.
Martinu is far away from his compatriot Janacek. Nevertheless, they have some stylistic trends in common.
La orquesta de la televisión española está en peligro por los recortes. Animo y fuerza de voluntad para asegurar la cultura.
Wow!
czeck music has evolved better than german music in the last century
Where is everyone? Empty auditorium, so sad. Good to see Walter though.
Fantastic tempo for the second movement (scherzo). Weller's two official recordings of this piece (in Liverpool and Brussels) are highly valuable.
Der besonders in Großbritannien erfolgreiche und beliebte österreichische Dirigent Walter Weller (Liverpool, London, Schottland) begann als profilierter Konzertmeister der Wiener Philharmoniker und als Gründer des bedeutenden Weller-Quartetts.-. RIP. (vgl, zahlreiche Postings und CDs).
0:28 is a good place to start.
Que maravilla; aplaudo de pie al compositor, la orquesta y el director. Un deleite.
Good to hear(&SEE!)a non-czech performance of Martinu4.The orchestra handle most of the idiosyncratic writing pretty well.The interpretation settles best from the 3rd mvt,the wonderful rich line spun out warmly(but shame the cut at 21.55),then to a blazing finale.Mvt 1 never really takes off,phrasing four-square&hestitant,Scherzo a fraction too fast,sounding rushed&scrambled;even with fine players,Martinu's rythms need time to"speak!" Still very enjoyable,thank you for posting.
I have Ken Russell to thank for knowing this music. Love it to bits.
An absolutely wonderful performance of a great Martinu symphony. What an unappreciative audience. How could they not have sprung to their feet after this masterful performance?
Well, there's certain music the RTVE audience never responded too well to...
Stefan Madru I do find it interesting that a Spanish orchestra conducted by the great Austrian Walter Weller has masterfully performed a superb work by the Czech composer Martinu. This of course demonstrates how gifted Walter Weller really was.
Well, Spanish TV orchestra is a quite a good one and with the right conductor it can perform brilliantly. With Walter Weller it was often that way. I am proud to say I was a member of the orchestra at the time of this recording and I remember distinctly how each time Walter Weller would come to conduct us he would boost the orchestra's sound quality. Very easy to work with, very good results. It really is a great loss for the music world and for them, they had a great relationship.
Stefan Madru It must have been wonderful to be a member of an orchestra of this calibre.
burton48 Many thanks, I appreciate you saying that. It was indeed a wonderful time, I learned a lot and I am most grateful to my colleagues.
My favorite performance Ive heard so far. Love the Beethoven speed of the scherzo. Weller was the man.
U nás neumíme dostatečně docenit naše velké skladatele po Smetanovi a Dvořákovi. Jak je daleko vyzrálejší interpretace i recepce Janáčka v zahraničí než u nás! Jeden z největších českých géniů Josef Suk by si zasluhoval mnohem více hrát u nás i v zahraničí, hlavně jeho velká orchestrální díla. Martinů je na tom snad nejhůř. Jeho věci se hrají všude velmi zřídka. Jednou jsem byl na koncertě ve Zlíně, kde sídlí filharmonie nesoucí jeho jméno. Na programu byla mimo jiné jedna orchestrální věc od Martinů. Před zahájením koncertu oznámil dirigent Roman Válek do sálu, že to hrát nebudou, a to si říkají Filharmonie Bohuslava Martinů! Místo toho nasadili nějaký populární Bizetův kus...
Herr Elgarianer O to větší sympatie ve mně budí třeba Julia Fischer, která se českou hudbou zabývá s takovým nadšením. V nějakém rozhovoru říkala, že má problém prosadit Martinů na CD - když se chystala nahrát Dvořákův koncert, nedovolil jí vydavatel nahrát jako druhou skladbu na album koncert Martinů, protože by to prý bylo špatně prodejné. Tak místo něj nahráli k Dvořákovi Brucha. Stejný problém je ale prý i s německým skladatelem Hindemithem.
Vraiment très bon !
Lo importante: este cooperar discursivo!!!
This is about as good as it gets. Fabulous.
20:42 - a dove descends...