Martin, Stravinskij: Houslov koncerty 1 & 2, Divertimento – CD

This CD brings together Bohuslav Martins Violin Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 and Igor Stravinskys Divertimento, performed by violinist Josef paek with the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra under conductor Petr Popelka, with Miroslav Sekera on piano. Martins violin concertos are closely connected with his life and career: the violin led him from the Czech Philharmonic to Paris, which became his home for 17 years, and later to America. The First Concerto was written for the American violinist Samuel Dushkin, who also worked with Stravinsky on the music for the neoclassical ballet The Fairys Kiss, later arranged as the charming Divertimento for violin and piano. Martins Second Concerto was commissioned in 1943 by another celebrated violinist, Mischa Elman. paek and Popelka offer a new perspective on these works, following their acclaimed album of Martins Concerto for Violin, Piano and Orchestra.