Martinů: Fresky, Paraboly, Rytiny - CD

This CD presents Bohuslav Martinů’s later symphonic works: Prelude H 345, Frescoes of Piero della Francesca H 352, The Rock H 363, Parables H 367 and Engravings H 369, performed by the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra under conductor Tomáš Netopil. Martinů’s motto from The Citadel by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry poetically expresses the transforming power of these works, composed on the European continent after his six American symphonies. The three-part symphonic triptych Frescoes of Piero della Francesca draws inspiration from the work of the Italian Renaissance genius and its solemn, rigid silence and darkened colours. The three-part Parables continues the composer’s reflections on the world and humanity’s search within it. The symphonic prelude The Rock refers both to the landing of English settlers in America in 1619 and to Martinů’s own fate as a homeless pilgrim. Engravings became Martinů’s final symphonic work, more a delicate drawing threaded with silence than the richly textured painting familiar from his earlier symphonic compositions. These profound and beautiful late masterpieces remain insufficiently appreciated.