Search - Robert Hill, Benedict Hoffnung, Bettina Jensen :: Frank Martin: Concerto for 7 Wind Instruments, Percussion & Strings / Studies for String Orchestra / Erasmi monumentum - Matthias Bamert

Lushly played Martin, including a rarity

Nicholas A. Deutsch | New York, NY USA | 06/20/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This disc offers representative orchestral works by Frank Martin, 1 each from the 1940s, 50s & 60s. The Concerto for 7 Wind Instruments is sheer delight, as the composer explores the expressive possibilities of various color combinations, first in a taut Allegro, then the "mysterious & elegant" slow movement (with its steady string "tick-tock" movement underlying all the various events) & finally a dynamic Allegro vivace, which evokes marches from circus to military. The Studies (or Etudes) for String Orchestra likewise find room for both lyricism & humor, the latter especially in the syncopations of the "pizzicato" study. These performances are finely played & conducted, & recorded in full, even lush sound. (If you're just getting acquainted with Martin's music, you might consider instead getting Ernest Ansermet's early 60s versions of the Concerto & Etudes - rhythmically more dynamic than Bamert's - on London 448 264-2: for 50 cents more than this CD, you'll have an additional disc & 4 other essential Martin works in classic performances.) Erasmi Monumentum is infrequently recorded, & this is certainly a beautifully executed reading. The 3 movements, all with Latin titles referring to the works or character of the philosopher Erasmus, are highly contrasted: a spiky Andante, a wild "spring break" Allegro (with the organ evoking the fairground rather than the cathedral) & finally a plea for peace amid the threat of war. This is a challenging but rewarding piece which shows how, in his late 70s, Frank Martin continued to strive for greater orchestral subtlety & remained open to the sounds around him, while staying true to his inner convictions as an artist & compassionate human being."

Superb frank martin

Ruth M. Fields | 08/26/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this disc contains three important works by frank martin that receive top drawer performances by london phiharmonic under bamert. the concerto for seven wind instruments, strings, and percussion is a tribute to classiccal concerto grosso form in excellent modern dress. the studies for strings is a marvelous piece demontrating martin's gift for composing in this manner. it should recalled that he wrote a fine violin concerto and also other string works. finally, erasmi momentum for organ and orchestra shows this composers versatility. chando sound is excellent and this disc exposes martin to a wider sudience; a really good idea."