BOHUSLAV MARTINU (1890-1959): Complete Works for Violin(s) and Orchestra, Vol. 1 - Concerto for Flute, Violin and Orchestra, H252 (Janne Thomsen [flute]), Duo concertante for 2 Violins and Orchestra, H264 (Régis Pasquier [second violin]), Concerto in D for 2 Violins and Orchestra, H329 (Jennifer Koh [second violin]).

Description: As you can see from the first work listed above, this four-CD series will contain all of Martinu's concerted music which involves at least a single violin (other soloist instruments welcome too). The first two are from Martinu's Paris and, therefore, neo-Baroque period (composed in 1936 and 1937) and show his fascination with the concerto grosso model - solo instruments and orchestral group - no themes, just continuous development of small patterns. The other work comes from 1950, its inclination toward showing off the soloists' technical skills due to the twins who commissioned it and, while still just under 20 minutes (the length of each of these works), is in Martinu's late, neo-romantic style. Bohuslav Matousek (violin), Czech Philharmonic Orchestra; Christopher Hogwood.