Bohuslav Martinů - Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra

- Composer: Bohuslav Martinů (8 December 1890 -- 28 August 1959)
- Orchestra: Hannover Radio Philharmonic Orchestra
- Conductor: Eiji Oue
- Soloists: Aglika Genova (piano), Liuben Dimitrov (piano)
- Year of recording: 2001
Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra, H. 292, written in 1943.
00:00 - I. Allegro non troppo
06:16 - II. Adagio
16:18 - III. Allegro
Martinů's brilliant and witty Concerto for Two Pianos belongs to a long list of his works unaccountably neglected in today's concert halls. Composed in 1943 during the composer's American period, the piece shares many of the same characteristics of the six great symphonies written at the same time: busy, syncopated rhythms; luminous orchestration; and soaring lyrical passages of great melodic breadth. The interplay between the two pianos is at times highly inventive, which can be seen if one follows the score in this video.
In a not very crowded field, this concerto certainly stands proudly beside those of Mozart, Poulenc, Piston, Gould, Badings, and Vaughan Williams among the sovereign works for two pianos and orchestra.
The composer himself wrote that "all my thoughts were constantly on my endangered country.... The work [was] written under terrible circumstances, but the emotions it voices are not those of despair but rather of revolt, courage, and unshakable faith in the future."
The Concerto was commissioned by Luboschutz and Nemenoff in 1942, the first performance was on 5 November 1943 in Philadelphia with Eugene Ormandy conducting.

[@wotan9630]

How Martinu could write such a witty, bright, cheerful, full of hope music in such stressful times is beyond comprehension. Needs to be heard more often!!!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@pierrebonnechere7032]

He has a sound of his own...

[@olla-vogala4090]

Yes he does!

[@kokonssp]

It ’s a really dynamic masterpiece.

[@noiselesspatient]

Oh my! Poulenc and Bernstein on the town in Prague. What a stunning work! Thank you.

[@lyricaltones]

Another impressive work by Martinů, thanks.

[@DavidA-ps1qr]

Incredible work superbly played, and as you say neglected...................tragically.

[@richh9450]

Heard this before but this performance is beyond brilliant. Luv ya Bohuslav, your genius will live forever.

[@Sujkhgfrwqqnvf]

This is a stunning revisited Baroque concerto mixed with Czech folk motivs and spicy harmonies from his french experiences.

[@noiselesspatient]

Bernstein too. The last movement out-Lennys Chichester Psalms! 🤣

[@antismatic]

Wow, I keep on discovering such amazing composers from you!

[@olla-vogala4090]

Thanks, good to hear that :)

[@peterlunow]

breath taking concerto , great performance

[@Hyblovina]

Absolutelly breathtaking...great!

[@HLD4V7]

Wonderful! Thank you for this one :-)

[@kuang-licheng402]

nice

[@christianwouters6764]

What a senseless racket. It sounds like a soundtrack for a Hollywood B movie of the 1950ies. As Shakespeare would say: much to do about nothing.

[@baileyrob]

Only knowing music in terms of visual art is a sign that you don't know enough about music on its own.

[@BritinIsrael]

I think it's time for a de waxing of your ears. The most ridiculous comment i've read on You Tube for a long time.

[@noiselesspatient]

No, there is much 'sense' here, to my ears at least. A breathtaking joie-de-vivre which perfectly blends Prague, Paris and New York with immense skill, wit and exuberance. Perhaps you never made it to the last movement..?

[@ZAWARUD00]

I wish Hollywood B movies had such partitions, I feel like I would be more interested in them.