Symphony No.6 'Fantaisies Symphoniques' - Bohuslav Martinů

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Jiří Bělohlávek

I - Lento - Allegro: 0:00
II - Poco allegro: 9:21
III - Lento: 17:16

Martinů's sixth symphony was started in 1951 ending the first movement. In the spring of 1953 he returned to resume the work, provisionally finishing on April 23 in New York. When he returned to Europe he made a revision, taking out the pianos of his first orchestration, finishing it definitively on May 26, 1953 in Paris.

It premiered on January 7, 1955 in Boston, played by the Boston Symphony Orchestra conducted by Charles Münch. He received in 1956 the award for the best composition of the year, awarded by the New York Critics' Club.

It was written to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the creation of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and dedicated to director Charles Munch. Its original title is "Fantaisies Symphoniques", making it clear that it was not a clear symphonic form. From this moment Martinů abandoned the classical form.

The first movement begins with a kind of prelude of strange sonorities. An isolated note repeated by the trumpets over an orchestral murmur of quick notes. The main theme begins with the first four notes of the beginning of the Kyrie of Dvořák's Requiem. In the final part he presents a new adagio interpreted by the violin. It ends with a postlude similar to the initial part.

The second movement is a kind of fantastic scherzo. The Requiem motive of the previous movement reappears with rhythmic intervals, which reach great violence. A lyrical theme appears below. In the central part that would correspond to the trio, we find diverse orchestral effects which give it a very peculiar character, with a certain satirical air. The lyric theme reappears in the final part, ending with a more rhythmic coda.

The third movement uses a variation of the Requiem motif as its main theme. A melody of choral type appears. Continues with a more lively contrasting section, which at times reminiscent of Stravinsky's music. The flute presents a variation of the theme. After a more lively part appears a quote from his opera Juliette written in 1937. In the final section, as a kind of postlude, returns to the slow rhythm with the choral type melody, ending calmly.

A work representative of the last style of Martinů, of a total freedom and with a constant thematic metamorphosis. A music influenced by the tension that the cold war was causing at that time. In his first version the composer orchestrated it with three pianos in the first movement, but considering the technical difficulties that this would cause he suppressed them. It is the only one of his symphonies that does not use piano in his orchestration.

Picture: Concept art for the videogame "Yume Nikki - Dream Diary" by the concept artist Juan Fandiño Martín.

[jackarcher]

Heard this on my classical radio station a few days ago and was enthralled. How many of us have sat in our cars in the driveway on getting home with the engine running, because we couldn't stop listening to something?

[johnpcomposer]

What a striking and unique work, with some of his trademark sounds and a new freedom that feels both structural and tonal. It is a shame, but not a surprise, that a work so well regarded at the time of it's premiere has not become part of the repertoire.

[Enkaptaton]

I like the convention of using these colourful fantasy-like or whatever pictures as a background for classical music videos.

[rklaval]

I first heard this wonderful symphony nearly 70 years ago on a disc recording. Today I love it as much as I did on that first hearing! Today, thanks to youtube, we can listen to so many of Martinu's great compositions.

[bowerdw]

I found this work intense and engaging.

[gabrieru]

La menos convencional de todas sus sinfonías, con una orquesta más reducida en cantidad de instrumentos pero que a la vez está tan llena de extrañas atmósferas y timbres sonoros que parece mucho más expansiva. Excelente final de un gran ciclo.

[jackbarnard]

Wow this was a great discovery on my part!! I have his piano concerto. Wanted check out other things. I'm putting this in heavy rotation.

[lekhine]

Harmony is shining . Impecable ink paper sound soul classic and stylish orquestal draw sound. Danke 👍🏻

[GenesisProgressive]

It seems to me that the Czech were among the greatest innovators in the early 20th century. How Martinu, Pavel Haas and Schulhoff stay usually unmentioned goes somewhat beyond my understanding.

[MuseDuCafe]

The string of cliche illustrations in the video is exactly why too many think almost all modern-contemporary classical music "sounds like its from a horror / suspense / sci-fi film."