Bohuslav Martinů (1890-1959)
I am intrigued and gratified to note that Martinů 4 has attracted Sir Roger Norrington. On October 30, in the Philharmonie, he conducts it with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, pairing it with Mozart 39.
A great Symphony: Martinů’s Fourth (1945, premiered in Philadelphia under Ormandy). Here, the late Walter Weller, who recorded the work in Liverpool and Brussels, conducts the Spanish Radio & Television Orchestra, January 2007, Madrid.
Yes Martinu deserves all the love we can give him. I first heard the cycle on R3 conducted by Christopher Adey. I still have the tapes somewhere. My first purchase of a symphony was no 5 on a 10” LP when visiting Prague in 1968 or whichever year followed the overthrow of the first Prague Spring – Dubcek and his new government. Ancerl in great (mono) form. Prague was a dismal city in November but the opera was wonderful.
Which Martinu symphony to choose for the desert island? Impossible! All are wonderful.