Martinů
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Hrůša has an assured drive through the elusive symphonic structures, culminating in an incessantly hair-raising Sixth...It's a journey you'll want to follow in close succession. —
Awards:
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Presto Recording of the Week, 15th May 2026
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Record Review, 23rd May 2026, Record of the Week
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Gramophone Magazine, July 2026, Recording of the Month
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BBC Music Magazine, August 2026, Orchestral Choice
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Martinů: Violin Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 - Bartók: Sonata for Solo Violin
Frank Peter Zimmermann (violin), Bamberger Symphoniker, Jakub Hrůša
Zimmermann has fully absorbed the slightly eclectic style of [the First Concerto] and produces a performance of conviction, not to mention dazzling virtuosity. Hrůša accompanies with understanding... —
Awards:
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Record Review, 5th December 2020, Record of the Week
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Gramophone Magazine, January 2021, Recording of the Month
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BBC Music Magazine, February 2021, Concerto Choice
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Gramophone Awards, 2021, Shortlisted - Concerto
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BBC Music Magazine Awards, 2022, Shortlisted - Concerto
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Martinů, Krása & Kalabis: Harpsichord Concertos
Mahan Esfahani (harpsichord), Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Liebreich
these excellent and committed performances get to the heart of these fascinating works. —
Awards:
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Gramophone Magazine, February 2023, Editor's Choice
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Opus Klassik Awards, 2023, Winner - Concerto
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Gramophone Awards, 2023 Finalists, Finalist - Concerto
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Belohlavek and the orchestra are superb in the first three symphonies. He captures Martinu's shimmering, luminous orchestral textures and invests the pervasive 'sprung' rhythms of the faster... —
Awards:
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Gramophone Magazine, October 2011, Disc of the Month
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Building a Library, May 2016, First Choice
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Gramophone Awards, 2012, Winner - Orchestral
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Building a Library, September 2019, Recommended
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Special offer. Czech Songs
RecommendedMagdalena Kožená (mezzo-soprano)
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle
There are some real gems in this wide-ranging and carefully chosen selection of Czech songs. Dvořák’s Evening Songs are delightful with an unaffected simplicity that Kožená captures without... —
Awards:
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Presto Recording of the Week, 14th June 2024
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Finalists 2024
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International Classical Music Awards, 2025, Nominated - Vocal Music
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Gramophone Awards, 2025 Shortlist, Voice & Ensemble
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Starting with motoric rhythmic energy, before turning to a more lyrical second theme, [No. 5] shows two faces of Martinů's composing personality. Both are beautifully and intensely conveyed... —
Awards:
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Presto Recording of the Week, 19th September 2025
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Gramophone Magazine, Awards Issue 2025, Editor's Choice
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International Classical Music Awards, 2026, Winner - Chamber
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Winner 2025
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There is no higher praise possible than to say that the spirit of Rudolf Firkušný hovers over this new release…Kahánek’s new versions are worthy of standing in this company, and his account... —
Awards:
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International Classical Music Awards, 2019, Nominee - Concerto
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BBC Music Magazine, Christmas 2019, Recording of the Month
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Record Review, 30th November 2019, Record of the Week
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BBC Music Magazine Awards, 2020, Winner - Concerto
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Martinu: The Complete Piano Trios
RecommendedRecorded at the Martínek Studio, Prague, between May 2015 and January 2016
Smetana Trio: Jitka Čechová (piano), Jiří Vodička (violin) & Jan Páleníček (cello)
it's already obvious that the music for piano trio performed here by the Smetana Trio is going straight on the shortlist for 2016. Martinu's chamber music reveals originality at every turn;... —
Awards:
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BBC Music Magazine Awards, 2017, Chamber Winner
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BBC Music Magazine, June 2016, Disc of the month
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A charm of lullabies, or an excess? If anyone could convince you that mostly slow and soft can work as an album sequence, it would be sonic magician Bertrand Chamayou...Within the narrow compass... —
Awards:
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Gramophone Magazine, Awards Issue 2020, Editor's Choice
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Presto Recording of the Week, 16th October 2020
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Finalist 2020
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Taylor plays a 1970s harpsichord built by the Parisbased maker Anthony Sidey. The instrument has a sturdy, gut-like quality that allows it to punch above the orchestra in Poulenc's concerto,... —
