Hyperion Records
Click album cover image to view the sleeve notes
Undergrowth (detail) (1910) by Roger de la Fresnaye (1885-1925)
Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris / Lauros / Giraudon / Bridgeman Art Library, London
CDA67673

Buy? £13.99

Recording details: Various dates
Dvorák Hall, Rudolfinum, Prague, Czechoslovakia
Produced by Zdenek Zahradník
Engineered by Tomáš Zikmund
Release date: May 2008
Total duration: 68 minutes 24 seconds
Available for download on iTunes: No

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GRAMOPHONE EDITOR'S CHOICE

'Martinu was prolific in every field, but perhaps no more so than in the concerto, where he explored a variety of forms and instrumental combinations … Bohuslav Matoušek plays all three works here with energy and an imaginative range of tonal colour, while the accompaniments from Christopher Hogwood and the Czech orchestra are equally resourceful' (Daily Telegraph)

'In the Rhapsody-Concerto Matoušek shows himself as adept a viola-player as he is a violinist, sweeter-toned than Telecky and a match for Imai and Bukac … This third volume in Hyperion's invaluable series is as desirable as its predecessors: highly recommended' (Gramophone)

Bohuslav Martinu (1890-1959)
Complete music for violin & orchestra, Vol. 3
Bohuslav Matoušek (violin), Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Christopher Hogwood (conductor)
Suite concertante for violin and orchestra, H276
1
Movement 1: Prelude. Allegro moderato  [3:28]
2
Movement 2: Meditation. Largo  [5:52]
3
Movement 4: Intermezzo. Andantino poco moderato – Vivace  [6:39]
4
Movement 5: Finale. Allegro vivo  [7:59]
Suite concertante for violin and orchestra, H276a
5
Movement 1: Toccata. Allegro poco moderato  [4:12]
6
Movement 2: Aria. Andantino  [7:53]
7
Movement 3: Scherzo. Allegretto scherzando  [4:14]
8
Movement 4: Rondo. Poco allegro  [6:14]
Rhapsody-Concerto for viola and orchestra, H337
9
Movement 1: Moderato  [10:31]
Bohuslav Matoušek (viola)
10
Movement 2: Molto adagio – Poco allegro – Andante molto tranquillo  [11:22]
Bohuslav Matoušek (viola)
This is the third volume in Hyperion’s set of the complete works for violin and orchestra by Martinu, featuring the wonderful Bohuslav Matoušek with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra under Christopher Hogwood. Many first recordings are included in the series, as well as works totally unperformed outside the Czech Republic. The two very different versions of Martinu’s Suite concertante are fascinating rarities. The only well-known work on this disc is the Rhapsody-Concerto for viola and orchestra: a lyrical, virtuosic piece written for Jascha Viessi and one of the most performed viola concertos of the twentieth century.

The programme notes by Aleš Bresina are meticulously researched and provide a comprehensive background to the intriguing genesis and performance history of these works.

 
Other albums in this series
Cover of 'Martinu: Complete music for violin & orchestra, Vol. 4' (CDA67674)
Martinu: Complete music for violin & orchestra, Vol. 4
Bohuslav Matoušek (violin), Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Christopher Hogwood (conductor)
Buy? £13.99  September 2008 release
Cover of 'Martinu: Complete music for violin & orchestra, Vol. 1' (CDA67671)
Martinu: Complete music for violin & orchestra, Vol. 1
Bohuslav Matoušek (violin), Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Christopher Hogwood (conductor)
Buy? £13.99 
Cover of 'Martinu: Complete music for violin & orchestra, Vol. 2' (CDA67672)
Martinu: Complete music for violin & orchestra, Vol. 2
Bohuslav Matoušek (violin), Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Christopher Hogwood (conductor)
Buy? £13.99