Martinu's Prelude Symphonique "The Rock"

[Dundonnell]

There has been some discussion recently of Toccata's series of Early Orchestral Music by Martinu. Whilst this is certainly important and welcome I do find it quite strange that quite a lot of the later orchestral music, ie the works composed between the end of the Second World War and the composer's death in 1959, is not better known. There are a number of glowing, impressionist scores, many of which can only be found on Supraphon cds. The most famous would be "Les Fresques de Piero della Francesca" which I think is a really magical score. But how often do we hear his last two orchestral works: "The Parables" or "Estampes"?

The one late composition which had eluded me for years was the Prelude Symphonique "The Rock" (1957). It is only 10 minutes long but for a completist like me........ I finally found that it had been recorded by Supraphon and I managed to buy the cd which was intended by the company for the Japanese market. The other pieces on the cd are duplications but so what......... ;D

[Demetrius]

I had never heard of this work before, Dundonnell. Is it inspired by the same Lermontov poem as Rachmaninov's early symphonic piece?

[Dundonnell]

No. It is named after Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts where the Pilgrim Fathers landed from the 'Mayflower'.

[Demetrius]

Ah, thank you.

[jidlomonster]

"The Rock" is almost as fine as anything in late Martinů and I agree that it needs more exposure.  Another, slightly earlier, candidate is the wonderful "Intermezzo" which he wrote for the Louisville Orchestra (their performance has been issued on CD but another would be nice).  The 1953 Overture is also a fine piece.