Martin: Ariane, Dvojkoncert – CD

This CD presents Bohuslav Martins one-act lyrical opera Ariane, H 370 (1958), and his Concerto for Two String Orchestras, Piano and Timpani, H 271 (1938). Simona aturov sings Ariane, with Zoltn Nagy as Theseus, Baurzhan Anderzhanov as the Minotaur, Abdellah Lasri as Burn and the Guard, Tijl Faveyts as the Old Man, Ivo Kahnek on piano, and the Essen Philharmonic conducted by Tom Netopil. Martin wrote Ariane in just one month in the summer of 1958, drawing on the Greek legend of Ariadne, who helps Theseus kill the Minotaur. Inspired by Georges Neveuxs dramatic treatment, Martin created his own libretto, in which a divided Theseus struggles with himself and with the Theseus overcome by love for a woman. This new recording, made by Tom Netopil and the Essen Philharmonic 30 years after Vclav Neumanns recording with the Czech Philharmonic, features Simona aturov in the title role, including the abandoned Ariadnes breathtaking closing lament. The opera is complemented by the Concerto for Two String Orchestras, a work shaped by the tense atmosphere of Europe in 1938 and by Martins emotions concerning the fate of his homeland. Rather than despair, he expressed rebellion, courage and an unwavering belief in the future through powerful dramatic clashes and an unstoppable flow of sound.