Martinů: The complete music for violin and orchestra, Vol. 1

This recording is the first volume of a four-disc survey of Martinu’s complete output for solo violin and orchestra, including compositions with other solo instruments. This important series will include some first recordings, and works which are currently widely performed only in the Czech Republic; they are still waiting to be rediscovered abroad. They are performed here by the orchestra in which Martinu played the violin, the distinguished Czech violinist Bohuslav Matoušek who is one of the foremost living exponents of this music, and conductor Christopher Hogwood.

All of the music on this album is also available as part of the specially priced box set Martinů: The complete music for violin and orchestra: ‘Throughout, Bohuslav Matoušek provides dazzling figuration while mining the rich vein of sentiment in such later works as the Concerto for violin and piano and the Rhapsody-Concerto. The recordings are all excellent; with superbly detailed liner notes by Aleš Březina, the whole issue is very recommendable’ (BBC Music Magazine).

CDA67671  54 minutes 58 seconds
‘Written in Martinů's best 1930s concerto grosso style, its [Duo concertante] three movements are limpidly scored, allowing the flowing, interweaving lines of the soloists to sound to best advantage; ...
‘Attractive but unfamiliar pieces which few but the most seasoned Martinů fans will already know, in performances that are not only enjoyable in themselves but which whet the appetite for their succes ...
‘The performances are excellent, without exception. Matoušek has the technique for the worst hurdles, yet preserves an expressive, suave tone for more poetic pages … Hogwood … leads spirite ...