Naxos
2006
Martinu: Complete Piano Music, Vol. 1
About This Album
Bohuslav Martinu is a composer whose works are, thankfully, becoming more and more popular and widely performed. With an oeuvre of more than 400 works, it is satisfying to see more frequent appearances of his compositions both on CD racks and on concert programs. Highly influenced by contemporary American composers as well as jazz harmonies, Martinu's music is unshakably interesting harmonically, texturally, and especially rhythmically.

Pianist Giorgio Koukl does an admirable job of maintaining these interesting facets in this first volume of solo piano works. Koukl was first introduced to the music of Martinu through venerable pianist Rudolf Firkusny, who was not only a friend of Martinu but also one of the greatest interpreters of his music. Koukl's playing has a great deal in common with Firkusny's. This performance is marked by rhythmic precision, meticulous voicing, and a clean, clear sound that is distinct and audible. Koukl deftly switches between the extremely varied demands of the pieces on this album, from the more virtuosic Preludes H. 181 to the charming character pieces such as the Fables H. 138 and Christmas H. 167. This album is highly recommended not only for fans of Martinu's music, but also for those who appreciate superb solo piano playing. ~ Mike D. Brownell, All Music Guide
Track List

Preludes (8) For Piano, H. 181
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Window Onto The Garden, For Piano, H. 270
9.
10.
11.
12.
Bajky (Fables), For Piano, H. 138
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
Esquisses (3) On Modern Dances For Piano, H. 160
18.
19.
20.
Le Noël, Pieces (3) For Piano, H. 167
21.
22.
23.
Esquisses De Danses (5) For Piano, H. 220
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
Foxtrot For Piano, H. 126bisA
29.