Romance of the Dandelions

On this CD:

1. Spalícek (The Chap-Book), ballet, H. 214
Composed by Bohuslav Martinu
Performed by Czech State Philharmonic Orchestra (Brno) with Miroslav Kopp, Richard Novak, Anna Kratochvilova
Conducted by Frantisek Jilek

2. Romance z pampelisek (Romance of the Dandelions), chamber cantata for soprano & double chorus, H. 364
Composed by Bohuslav Martinu
Performed by Czech State Philharmonic Orchestra (Brno) with Milada Cejkova
Conducted by Frantisek Jilek

3. Petrklíc (Primrose), duets (5) for soprano, alto, violin, & piano, H. 348
Composed by Bohuslav Martinu
Performed by Czech State Philharmonic Orchestra (Brno) with Stanislav Bogunia, Petr Messiereur
Conducted by Frantisek Jilek

Customer Reviews:

A Set of Late Masterpieces.......2004-04-26

Written towards the of Martinu's life, these choral pieces are a simultaneous celebration of Czech rural life and an expression of the composer's acute sense of exile. Martinu's exile began in the late 30s with the German occupation of Czechoslovakia and continued through to the end of his life because of the Communist dominance of his homeland. The text of these pieces was written by Martinu's boyhood friend, the poet Miloslav Bures. These four pieces are arranged in a seasonal round, beginning with spring (The Opening of the Wells) and ending in winter (Mikes of the Mountains). The last piece, completed just months prior to Martinu's death, contains a clear presentiment of death and a profound sense of loss at never again seeing his homeland. Martinu communicates what must have been for him profound emotion in an almost understated way with lyrical and powerful music. The performances on this CD are very good.

Martinu: Spalicek H214; Romance of the Dandelions H364

Average customer rating:

Thi is a proof that modern music need not be unbearable

Martinu: Spalicek H214; Romance of the Dandelions H364

Manufacturer: Supraphon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000JKPU
Release Date: 1994-09-20

Customer Reviews:

Thi is a proof that modern music need not be unbearable.......2000-12-06

Martinu counts as one of the most important composers of the first half of the century. He was a bit of a globetrotter but every now and then he would go back to his roots, to his childhood in West Moravian Highlands. This ballet is no exception. It was in fact written for children - it is a string of popular East-European fairy tales. It overflows with motives from traditional Bohemian and Moravian folk music which makes it all very poetic and pleasant to listen to. Modern clasical music is usually considered very difficult to listen to but with this particular piece of Martinu, you may be inclined to change your view - this piece is perhaps a little bit like Orff's Carmina Burana but not as dark and demonic as Orff.