Martinů B. Symphonies (complete) Nos.1-6 / PRSO / V.Válek (3CD)

CD 1

Bohuslav Martinů - Symphony No. 1, H. 289

1. Moderato 10:39

2. Scherzo: allegro - trio 08:23

3. Largo 09:08

4. Allegro non troppo 10:55

Bohuslav Martinů - Symphony No. 2, H. 295

5. Allegro moderato 07:13

6. Andante moderato 07:10

7. Poco allegro 04:40

8. Allegro 05:22

CD 2

Bohuslav Martinů - Symphony No. 3, H. 299

1. Allegro poco moderato 09:48

2. Largo 09:01

3. Allegro. Andante 09:58

Bohuslav Martinů - Symphony No. 4, H. 305

4. Poco moderato 08:29

5. Scherzo allegro vivo - trio, moderato 10:19

6. Largo 10:16

7. Poco allegro 08:18

CD 3

Bohuslav Martinů - Symphony No. 5, H. 310

1. Adagio. Allegro 10:47

2. Larghetto 10:09

3. Lento. Allegro 12:54

Bohuslav Martinů - Fantaisies symphoniques (Symphony No. 6), H. 343

4. Lento - Allegro 09:20

5. Poco allegro 08:36

6. Lento 10:49

Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra

Vladimír Válek conductor

The sextuplet of Martinů symphonies originated within a very short time frame (Symphonies Nos. 1-5 within a mere five years - from 1942 to 1946 in the USA; Symphony No. 6, designated Fantaisies symphoniques, was completed in 1953) at a time when the composer enjoyed general acclaim and was bursting with creative energy. It was as if only on a new continent, where he was driven by war and was warmly welcomed, could Martinu muster up the courage to plunge into this classical form and seek to catch up on what he had "missed out on" until then. Following in the footsteps of a number of leading Czech conductors, the demanding task was this time undertaken by the seasoned Vladimír Válek with the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra. The complete recording was made in 2006-2007 at Czech Radio and reflects the high artistic level of this internationally renowned ensemble. Following the well-received Dvořák and Tchaikovsky symphonies, it is the third symphony set of the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra released by Supraphon.

(Supraphon 2008)