Bohuslav Martinů - Piano Music Vol. 3 (Giorgio Koukl)

Information

Composer: Bohuslav Martinů

• Fantaisie et toccata, H. 281
• Piano Sonata, H. 350
• Etudes and Polkas, Vol. 1, H. 308/1
• Etudes and Polkas, Vol. 2, H. 308/2
• Etudes and Polkas, Vol. 3, H. 308/3
• 3 Czech Dances, H. 154

Giorgio Koukl, piano

Date: 2007

Label: Naxos

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Review

The third volume of Naxos’ Martinu piano music cycle showcases the composer’s mature style in what many consider to be his finest and most original works for the instrument. Both the hauntingly lyrical Sonata and volatile Fantaisie et toccata were written for Rudolf Firkusny, whose idiomatic, multi-hued RCA recordings retain their reference status. However, Giorgio Koukl’s interpretations more than hold their own in such august company.

For example, while Toccata hardly lacks for rhythmic impetus, Koukl’s intelligent melodic projection never allows the churning patterns to become percussive or mechanical. The pianist also puts musical considerations ahead of surface bravura in the delightful Etudes and Polkas. You’ll notice how he gently differentiates the shifting accents in Book One’s A major Polka, whereas Emil Leichner’s faster tempo yields a few flustered moments. On the other hand, Leichner’s hypnotic legato and remarkable melody/accompaniment separation in the same book’s D major Etude and Pastorale and Book Three’s A minor Etude linger more memorably in the ear than Koukl’s relatively conventional pianism. And when it comes to the difficult single-note/chord leaps in Book Three’s F major Etude, Leichner’s leaner, quicker sharpshooting contrasts to Koukl’s slower yet more dynamically conscientious interpretation.

Although I don’t intend to give up Firkusny in the big works or Leichner’s Etudes and Polkas, Koukl’s stylish perception and tonal warmth serve Martinu proud, as do Naxos’ fine sonics. Recommended. [12/18/2007]

— Jed Distler

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Bohuslav Martinů (December 8, 1890 – August 28, 1959) was a Czech composer of modern classical music. He was a violinist in the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, and briefly studied under Czech composer and violinist Josef Suk. Martinů was a prolific composer who wrote almost 400 pieces. Many of his works are regularly performed or recorded, among them his oratorio The Epic of Gilgamesh, his six symphonies, concertos, chamber music, a flute sonata, a clarinet sonatina and many others. Martinů's notable students include Alan Hovhaness, Vítězslava Kaprálová, Jan Novák and many others.

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Giorgio Koukl (born 1953 in Prague) is a pianist and composer. He studied in Prague, Zürich and Milan; among his teachers was Rudolf Firkušný, who introduced him to the works Bohuslav Martinů. Koukl became a leading interpreter of Martinů's piano music, recording his complete piano solo works and concertos. He later expanded his repertoire to include piano works by composers like Le Flem, Tcherepnin, Lourié, Kaprálová, Lutosławski, Tansman and Harsányi. Performing internationally across Europe, North America and Asia, Koukl records exclusively for Naxos and appears frequently in solo and chamber concerts.

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