If the coupling suits, I can recommend this disc with only very minor reservations. All of these pieces reflect the mature Martinu (the earliest, the Piano Quartet, dates from 1942) and feature his patented mixture of syncopated motor-rhythms and singing, often folk-inflected melodic lines. If you like one, you’ll like them all. The performances are lively and confident, with kudos to oboist George Caird for his unfailingly sweet tone and ability to blend well with his colleagues. The only thing missing is a real pianissimo, a problem perhaps exacerbated by the very close microphone placement that also gives the strings a somewhat rough edge. So although the program has plenty of variety in terms of colors and textures, it’s a bit fatiguing for continuous listening. Otherwise, this release offers plenty of fun and enjoyment.
