Stamic Quartet Martinu

Bohuslav Martinů - Complete Works for Violin and Piano
Classical, 20th Century | EAC+APE (IMG+CUE+LOG) | 1.08gb
Full HQ scans | 4 CD | RS, MU, HF, DF, ZS, BD, UL

This second volume of Martinu's complete works for violin and piano is every bit as fine as Volume One. The Arietta, Seven Arabesques, Sonatina, Rhythmic Études, and Intermezzo are all teaching pieces, simple in form but delightful in content, and fully worthy of the concert hall. When not performed as a set, any of the Arabesques or Études would make perfect encores (performers take note). The Violin Sonata No. 2 dates from 1931, and reflects the composer's interest in Jazz–a terse and refreshing work. Between 1943 and 1945, Martinu composed his last works for violin and piano: the Five Madrigal Stanzas, Sonata No. 3, and the Czech Rhapsody. All three pieces partake of the sunny lyricism, syncopated rhythms, and folk music inflections of his last period, and the sonata in particular is every bit as fine as the contemporary symphonies–indeed, it's clearly one of the finest violin/piano works written this century. Once again, Supraphon's two Czech artists play this music just about as well as it can be, and the recorded sound falls gratefully on the ear. In sum, this is a magnificently conceived and executed project that anyone who loves chamber music simply must hear. –David Hurwitz