Martinu: Piano Works (2004)

Largely unrecorded and seldom performed, despite their obvious appeal and accessibility, the piano pieces of Bohuslav Martinu have at last found a champion in pianist Erik Entwistle. This noted proponent of Czech music has delved into Martinu's cache of album leaves, short character studies, and quick sketches, and found sufficient value and charm in them to produce a comprehensive CD -- one that lasts for nearly 80 minutes. Yet these miniatures are too similar in their light tone, salon prettiness, and peppy tunefulness, ... Read More

Largely unrecorded and seldom performed, despite their obvious appeal and accessibility, the piano pieces of Bohuslav Martinu have at last found a champion in pianist Erik Entwistle. This noted proponent of Czech music has delved into Martinu's cache of album leaves, short character studies, and quick sketches, and found sufficient value and charm in them to produce a comprehensive CD -- one that lasts for nearly 80 minutes. Yet these miniatures are too similar in their light tone, salon prettiness, and peppy tunefulness, and lose much of their allure when presented together. The more substantial and interesting works, such as the dance parodies in Esquisses (3), the pensive movements of Fenêtre sur le jardin, and the comparatively expansive and almost fully developed Sonata No. 1, are practically overwhelmed by the steady flow of Martinu's slighter occasional pieces and tossed-off squibs. A little more selectivity and the inclusion of more significant works would have balanced the program more... Read Less