Ivan Klanský & Kocian Quartet - Martinu: Piano Quintets H. 229, 298; Piano Quartet H. 287 (2009)

If you love the music of Czech-French-American composer Bohuslav Martinu well enough to know his six symphonies and seven string quartets, and you enjoyed his quartets enough to want to try more of his chamber music, this may be the disc for you. Bringing together for the first time his two piano quintets and his piano quartet, this disc by pianist Ivan Klánsky and the Kocian Quartet makes a persuasive introduction to these works. Martinu's first piano quintet dates from 1933 and shows the influence of his time in France in its pellucid textures and of his hearing of American jazz in its bouncy rhythms. The second quintet dates from 1944 and the one and only piano quartet dates from 1942 and both show the influence of world events in their tougher tone and of America in the steely strength. But whatever the work and whenever the date of its composition, Martinu always sounds like himself: lyrical, energetic, optimistic, and joyous, with the kind of effortlessly soaring melodies that only he could write. Czech-born Klánsky and the Kocian turn in performances that capture all those qualities and express them with skill and affection. Recorded in clean, colorful digital sound, these recordings will thrill hardcore Martinu fans, and may also intrigue anyone interested in twentieth century chamber music. -- James Leonard