Jean Martinon’s five-year tenure in Chicago following Fritz Reiner’s untimely death remains a controversial period in the orchestra’s history, at least from a public relations perspective. Although Martinon was widely regarded as something of a failure, I have yet to hear a recording or live broadcast that isn’t terrific. Reiner was a tough act to follow, and Martinon’s preferences for contemporary music couldn’t have been more different. Yet there’s no question that he maintained the orchestra’s exalted performance standards (improving them, in my opinion), and this commemorative two-disc limited edition, available direct from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, really shows him at his best.
A composer himself, Martinon had a reputation for interpretive coolness, but this never should be mistaken for a lack of drama or excitement. In fact, five of the better known works included here belong on anyone’s short list of truly thrilling interpretations: Britten’s Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes (with a pulverizing final “Storm”); Roussel’s Symphonic Fragments from The Spider’s Feast; Ruggles’ Sun Treader; Dukas’ Sorcerer’s Apprentice (graphically vivid); and lastly Debussy’s Images, featuring playing of simply stupefying clarity and virtuosity. You also get a delicious Fourth Brandenburg Concerto that sounds not a bit anachronistic, two intense classical overtures (Beethoven’s Fidelio and Cimarosa’s Il matrimonio segreto), Martinon’s own Second Symphony (a marvelous, vibrant, shimmering work that sounds a bit like Dutilleux, a bit like Ravel, and very, very French), and the wildest performance in the history of mankind of the Farandole from Bizet’s L’arlésienne Suite No. 2. All of this music has been superbly remastered from broadcast tapes, offering breathtakingly tactile sound. Support the Chicago Symphony, as well as your CD collection! Grab it while you can.
