Frank Martin - Sechs Monologs aus Jedermann; Suite from 'Der Sturm' (Matthias Bamert)

Information

Composer: Frank Martin

• Der Sturm Suite
• Maria-Tryptichon
• 6 Monologues from Hofmannsthal's Jedermann

Lynda Russell, soprano

David Wilson-Johnson, baritone

Duncan Riddell, violin

London Philharmonic Orchestra

Matthias Bamert, conductor

Date: 1995

Label: Chandos

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Review

This is the fourth disc in what is proving an invaluable survey of Frank Martin from Matthias Bamert and the LPO (the previous issues were reviewed in 7/94, 1/95 and 10/95). For many years the standard version of Der Sturm excerpts and the Sechs Monologe aus Jedermann was by Fischer-Dieskau and the Berlin Philharmonic under Frank Martin himself (DG, 10/91 – nla) and I do not imagine it will be long before that is restored to circulation.

Few admirers of the Swiss master will have neglected to collect the Fischer-Dieskau issue and so interest will inevitably concentrate on the Maria-Triptychon. This was written in the late 1960s in response to a request from Wolfgang Schneiderhan for a work for violin, soprano and orchestra that he could perform with his wife, Irmgard Seefried. The central movement, “Magnificat”, originally stood on its own (Bernard Haitink conducted its premiere in 1968), the two outer movements, “Ave Maria” and “Stabat mater” were added afterwards.

Although there are two alternative recordings, one from the 1984 Lucerne Festival under Jean Fournet on the Schwann label and another with Seefried and Schneiderhan under the composer himself emanating from a Swiss Radio tape, neither matches this new Chandos recording in sheer beauty of sound. Linda Russell sings the solo part with great sympathy and intelligence, and Duncan Riddell assumes the mantle of Schneiderhan with no mean success. I have to say that the transparency of texture that the Chandos team achieve shows this visionary score in the most favourable light. It makes a stronger impression than in any earlier performance I have heard and much of its success is due to the dedication of the LPO and their conductor Matthias Bamert. He distils a strong atmosphere and sense of mystery in all these scores, and I was completely held in their thrall.

David Wilson-Johnson is on impressive form in the Jedermann Monologues and survives the daunting comparison with his rival. His is as perceptive and moving an account as any – and he is no less impressive in Der Sturm, and what a magical score that is! Moreover the Chandos recording is better balanced than the DG which placed the great German baritone in too prominent a focus. (Speaking of the Monologues, it would be good if BBC Radio Classics would release Hakan Hagegard’s performance of this from the late 1970s-early 1980s.) As I have said before, this is one of the great song-cycles of the century. Let us hope Chandos will go on to record Le vin herbe and the whole of Der Sturm. In the meantime this is recommended with all possible enthusiasm!

— Robert Layton

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Frank Martin (15 September 1890 – 21 November 1974) was a Swiss composer. Born in Geneva, he studied under Joseph Lauber and Émile Jaques-Dalcroze. He served as president of the Swiss Musicians' Union (1943–1946) before moving to the Netherlands. A performer as well as a composer, Martin toured widely as a pianist and harpsichordist. His compositions blended German influences, especially Bach, with French harmonic innovations. Notable works include the oratorios Le Vin herbé and Golgotha, the opera Der Sturm, and a Requiem, along with numerous concertos, orchestral and chamber works.

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Matthias Bamert (born July 5, 1942) is a Swiss conductor and composer. He studied music in his native Switzerland, as well as in Darmstadt and Paris, with Pierre Boulez and Karlheinz Stockhausen. Bamert's conducting career began in North America as an apprentice to George Szell and later as assistant conductor to Leopold Stokowski. He has served as music director of the Swiss Radio Orchestra from (1977–83), London Mozart Players (1993–2000), Western Australian Symphony (2003–07), Malaysian Philharmonic (2005–08), and the Sapporo Symphony (2018–2024). Bamert has made over 60 recordings.

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