Search - Martin, Decroos, Haitink :: Cello Concerto / Four Elements

Top Choice for 2 Fine Martin Pieces Returns

Nicholas A. Deutsch | New York, NY USA | 05/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a very welcome reissue of 2 neglected masterpieces by the great Swiss composer Frank Martin (1890-1974), in 1st rate performances by a world-class orchestra & conductor. Both works were written in the early 1960s, & the live versions here date from 1970 (Cello Concerto) & 1965 (The 4 Elements). The 2nd movement of the Concerto, composed for cellist Pierre Fournier, is one of the greatest stretches of music Martin ever wrote, a minor-key saraband that builds to an impressive, passionate climax. Flanking it are 2 movements of equal quality, the 1st spinning off from a beautiful folk-like modal theme (heard unaccompanied on the cello at the start) & the 3rd governed by nervous, taut syncopations. A fine piece that deserves to be recorded as frequently as Martin's earlier Violin Concerto. Jean De Croos is the flawless soloist here.

The 4 Elements is unusual in Martin's mature orchestral oeuvre in being a work for large symphony orchestra & not a concertante piece (that is, one featuring a soloist or soloists). It is a conscious homage to the French tradition of nature painting & orchestral color in music, & to the great conductor Ernest Ansermet & his way with the music of Debussy & Ravel. Martin was very responsive to the sights & sounds around him, yet it was rare for him to attempt to translate the emotions roused in him by natural sights into music. So the 4 movements of The 4 Elements - Earth, Water, Air & Fire - really show another aspect of Martin's rich & profound artistic personality. It also gives the Concertgebouw Orchestra a chance to show off its many colors, which it does splendidly under Bernard Haitink's excellent direction.

Indeed, for me both performances remain top choice for these 2 works, despite a very good studio version of the Cello Concerto by Stephen Kates (Louisville), & a sonically lush rendition of The 4 Elements by Matthias Bamert & the Royal Philharmonic (Chandos). The sound in both pieces is excellent. Highly recommended; grab this CD while it's available."