Martin: Kompletn dlo pro violoncello a klavr – 2 CD

This two-CD recording presents Bohuslav Martins complete works for cello and piano, performed by cellist Vilm Vlek and pianist Denis Linnik. Martin was expelled from the Prague Conservatory in 1910 at the age of twenty for incurable negligence, an event that could hardly have seemed less connected with the career of one of the twentieth centurys most famous composers. Three years later, he sold his violin in Paris so that he could concentrate fully on composition. He later described his early studies by saying that he simply could not learn those things and had to arrive at it through his own feeling. Martin devoted himself to the cello more extensively than any composer of his generation, both in chamber and concert works. This complete recording was made at the Basel Academy of Music, just a few kilometres from Schnenberg, where Martin spent the final years of his life. Most of the pieces were written for important cellists, often the composers friends, including Frank, Cassad, Fournier, Honegger, Piatigorsky and Sdlo. Five lighter works were composed in Paris between 1929 and 1931, while the more substantial works, including three sonatas and two sets of variations, date from 1939 to the end of the composers life. The Variations on a Slovak Folk Song were his final chamber work and express unmistakable homesickness for the country to which Martin could no longer return. Vilm Vleks expressive, profound playing is inspired on this recording by the musicianship of pianist Denis Linnik. The programme includes the three cello sonatas, Variations on a Theme by Rossini, Variations on a Slovak Folk Song, Arietta, Nocturnes, Pastorales, Miniature Suite, Seven Arabesques and Romance.