[USED:Cond.AB] Complete Symphonies: Neeme Jarvi / Bamberg So

Martinu, Complete Symphonies
Bamberg Symphony Orchestra
Neeme Jarvi

As with all enormously prolific composers, Martinu’s works are uneven in quality; but his symphonies are generally held among the outstanding 20th-century examples of the genre. All six were written in the USA, the first five in consecutive years from 1942 - the shadow of war can be heard in several march-like movements - but they frequently reveal the composer’s Czech origins, particularly in the stirring slow movements which become darker and more probing as the cycle progresses. The textures and rhythms have a percussive energy that derives both from his formative years of study in Paris in the 1920s and from the prominent use of a piano within the orchestra.

Only one other set available at budget price ‘The Bambergers play for all they are worth for Jarvi, who brings out Martinu’s individual qualities and secures a remarkable degree of clarity.’ Gramophone

CD 1
Bohuslav Martinu˚ 1890-1959
Symphony No.1
1. I. Moderato 10:15
2. II. Allegro 7:50
3. III. Largo 8:17
4. IV. Allegro non troppo 9:39
Symphony No.2
5. I. Allegro moderato 6:12
6. II. Andante moderato 7:53
7. III. Poco allegro 4:35
8. IV. Allegro 4:45

Total: 60:52


CD 2
Symphony No.3
1. I. Allegro poco moderato 8:35
2. II. Largo 8:30
3. III. Allegro - Andante 11:30
Symphony No.4
4. I. Poco moderato 6:51
5. II. Allegro vivo 8:56
6. III. Largo 10:07
7. IV. Poco allegro 6:52

Total: 62:44


CD 3
Symphony No.5
1. I. Adagio - Allegro 8:52
2. II. Larghetto 9:55
3. III. Lento - Allegro 11:56
Symphony No.6 ‘Fantaisies symphoniques’
4. I. Lento - Allegro 8:25
5. II. Poco allegro 7:34
6. III. Lento 11:08

Total: 59:16

Bamberg Symphony Orchestra
Neeme Jarvi