Latest stories
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Jakub Hrůša conducts symphonies by Bohuslav Martinů
15th May 2026by James Longstaffe
The Czech conductor leads the Bamberger Symphoniker in performances of all six of the symphonies by his compatriot that are full of rhythmic vitality, magical textures, and characterful playing from every section of the orchestra.
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The Pavel Haas Quartet on Martinů
29th Sep 2025by Ben Hogwood
Violinist Veronika Jarůšková and cellist Peter Jarůšek discuss how the composer's music featured in their first meeting as children on a TV talent show, Martinů's relationship with fellow composer Vítězslava Kaprálová, and surmounting the technical challenges of music that is 'almost impossible to play'.
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The Pavel Haas Quartet perform string quartets by Martinů
19th Sep 2025by James Longstaffe
Three years on from their previous recording of music by Brahms, the Czech quartet returns with a stunningly virtuosic album of four string quartets by their compatriot Bohuslav Martinů, showcasing an enormous dynamic range combined with an impressive precision and unanimity of purpose.
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Magdalena Kožená performs orchestral songs by Martinů, Dvořák, and Hans Krása
14th Jun 2024by James Longstaffe
The Czech mezzo presents an enchanting selection of songs in which she demonstrates her impressive range of tone colours, with sumptuous support from the Czech Philharmonic and Simon Rattle.
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Jiří Bělohlávek conducts Martinů's What Men Live By
19th Oct 2018by Katherine Cooper
The world premiere recording of a 1952 'pastoral opera' based on Tolstoy, captured three years before the Czech conductor's death in 2017.
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Manfred Honeck on The Epic of Gilgamesh
14th Nov 2017by Katherine Cooper
The conductor talks to Katherine about making the first English-language recording of Martinů's Babylonian epic.
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Tomáš Netopil on Martinů's Ariane
24th Aug 2016by Chris O'Reilly
The Czech conductor talks about his new recording of Martinů's one-act Greek opera, released last Friday on Supraphon.
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Two recent re-discoveries light up Martinu year
25th May 2009by Chris O'Reilly
The fiftieth anniversary of the Czech composer’s death is marked by a superb programme of excerpts from his opera Juliette (conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras, with Magdalena Kožená in the title-role) and a collection of his chamber music from Ensemble Calliopée.