Erasmi monumentum - Matthias Bamert

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Swiss composer Frank Martin was a curious character. The son of a Protestant pastor, he combined French and German influences in typically Swiss fashion, but also tonality, atonality, and an enlivening dose of jazz. He lived a long and productive life, composed his own Requiem Mass (which he actually got to perform and record to make sure he'd got it right), and then conveniently died. This swinging concerto shows the jazz influence right at the start, where each of the solos introduces itself in what sounds like an improvised jam session. Of course the whole thing's composed with typical precision (Swiss, like in watches, right?), but it's still one of the most entertaining of this century's "group" concertos. This recording does it proud. --David Hurwitz

Amazon.com
Frank Martin (1890-1974) was a Swiss composer whose music runs the gamut of the major Modernistic ideas in music in this century, principally those of serialism and twelve-tone construction. The Concerto for Seven Wind Instruments, Percussion, and Strings (1949) owes much to Stravinsky's neo- classical period, with the extended ostinati in the winds. Studies for String Orchestra (1955-56) is clearly informed by a strict neo-classical structure, but the familiar elements of serialism are made... read more

Frank Martin: Concerto for 7 Wind Instruments, Percussion & Strings / Studies for String Orchestra / Erasmi monumentum - Matthias Bamert

Frank Martin: Concerto for 7 Wind Instruments, Percussion & Strings / Studies for String Orchestra / Erasmi monumentum - Matthias Bamert, Music, Frank Martin, Matthias Bamert, Paul Archibald, Richard Bissill, Celia Chambers, Ian Hardwick, Robert Hill, Benedict Hoffnung, Bettina Jensen, Russell Jordan, Gerald Kirby, The London Philharmonic, 20th/21st Century Orchestral Work with Descriptive Title, 20th/21st Century Orchestral Work with Formal Description, Classical, Classical Composers, Concerto, Concerto for More Than Three Solo Instruments, Orchestral

Frank Martin: Petite Symphonie Concertante
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A valuable bargain-priced guide to this edgy Swiss

Fine Modern Versions of 3 Outstanding Martin Works

Frank Martin: Petite Symphonie Concertante

Manufacturer: Erato
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Martin: Mass / Songs Of Ariel / Cantate / Chansons / Ode A La Musique

ASIN: B00006L9RQ
Release Date: 2003-05-20

Tracks:

Adagio-Allegro Con Moto - Eva Guibentif
Adagio - Eva Guibentif
Allegretto Alla Marcia - Eva Guibentif
No.1-Ist Alls Zu End Das Freudenmahl
No.2-Ach Gott, Wie Graust Mir Von Dem Tod
No.3-Ist Als Wenn Eins Gerufen Hatt
No.4-So Wallt Ich Ganz Zernichtet Sein
No.5-Ja! Ich Glaub: Solches Hat Er Vollbracht
No.6-O Ewiger Gott! O Gottliches Gesicht!
Allegro - Stephen Jeandheur
Adagietto - Stephen Jeandheur
Allegro Vivace - Stephen Jeandheur

Customer Reviews:

A valuable bargain-priced guide to this edgy Swiss.......2004-05-16

Nicholas Deutsch's review, elsewhere on Amazon.com, seems a thoroughly judicious assessment: though I find Cachemaille's black-marble bass-baritone timbre more impressive (at all volume levels) than he does, and the CONCERTO's invention less so. Armin Jordan's direction is as meticulous in that piece, and displays as keen a judgement of tonal balance, as always. Those who know the work merely from Ernest Ansermet's boisterous and, in all conscience, fairly unkempt early-stereo version will be surprised to discover how much fine detail comes through here. I just wish the music itself - dating from 1949 - did not sound so often like a tired re-run of the mighty 1945 PETITE SYMPHONIE CONCERTANTE, although the bell-like tolling of the CONCERTO's central funeral march represents Martin near his best, and the finale's beery trumpet flourishes indicate a sardonic amusement not often associated with this edgy Swiss.

Had I been laying down the law in the present CD's production process I should have jettisoned the CONCERTO in favor of POLYPTIQUE, Martin's jolting meditation (for solo violin and string orchestra) on Christ's Passion. This Spaetlese, which seems to acquire a new force and strength in the age of Mel Gibson, dates from 1973; it confirms that age did not weary the 83-year-old Martin, nor custom stale his considerable - if not exactly infinite - variety. Still, at least we have here the ever-haunting JEDERMANN MONOLOGUES, some of the most somber inspirations that vocal music of the last 100 years can show, but also some of the most noble. They breathe the same air as Brahms's FOUR SERIOUS SONGS, though this air has understandably become more oppressive with the horrors of the 20th century, horrors which impinged with particular sharpness upon Martin's icily yet desperately religious temperament.

As for the PSC itself, Jordan's interpretation is more sober and less dramatic than some; it lacks the venomous malice that older conductors have conveyed, and has a statuesque quality that I have ended up rather relishing, with attention paid to all sorts of string filigree that more violent performances overlook altogether. Good if needlessly brief annotations, full JEDERMANN texts, expert engineering (the PSC notoriously abounds in balance problems, tackled here with above-average skill), and a scarcely believable bargain price: you cannot go seriously wrong with this reissue.

Fine Modern Versions of 3 Outstanding Martin Works.......2004-01-28

The 3 works here, 2 for orchestra & one for baritone & orchestra, are among the finest by the great Swiss composer Frank Martin (1890-1974). They all date from the 1940s, when - after many years of hard work - he had finally achieved his highly individual mature style, particularly in matters of harmony. His most famous work, the "Petite Symphonie Concertante" for the unique combination of harp, harpsichord, piano & double string orchestra, remains as fresh & exhilarating as the day it was first performed; the "Concerto for 7 Wind Instruments" never ceases to delight in the ingenious, expressive ways Martin uses his soloists, separately & in various combinations. The "Six Monologues from 'Everyman'" - settings for voice & orchestra of excerpts from Hugo von Hofmannsthal's modern version of the medieval religious drama - is one of the 20th century's most moving song cycles, & has been performed and/or recorded by numerous well-known (bass-)baritones, including Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Heinz Rehfuss (both with Martin), Theo Adam, Jose van Dam, David Wilson-Johnson, Matthias Goerne, Hakan Hagegard & Thomas Quasthoff; there is a searing recent recording of the original piano version by Roman Trekel on Berlin Classics.
These performances are expertly conducted by Armin Jordan, very well-played & recorded; I think they'll hold up well over time. The "Petite Symphonie Concertante" is the pick of the lot - nice to have Christiane Jacottet, who once recorded Martin's Harpsichord Concerto under the composer, as one of the soloists - : shrewdly paced & with exceptionally well-judged recording balance. Some of the solo parts in the Concerto have been played with more assertive sense of character elsewhere, but the teamwork here is just fine, & again Jordan judges the "build" of the piece expertly. He also resists the temptation of equating "spiritual" with "slow" in the Monologues - not all conductors do. My only reservations have to do with baritone Gilles Cachemaille. He certainly sings beautifully & with great sincerity, but (as elsewhere) I find his voice when at "average" volume oddly inexpressive, if pleasant in timbre; as soon as the line rises in pitch & volume the performance comes to life. But if this is not the most emotionally heart-piercing version of the piece, it is still very good. And overall, if you're looking for good modern versions of these 3 works, or are just curious about Martin's music, this is a real bargain. (Note: These performances were previously issued on Cascavelle, at a considerably higher price. But although this is a "bargain" re-issue, it still comes with full text & translation for the song cycle - thanks, Warner Classics!)

Martin: Petite symphonie concertante; In Terra Pax

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Martin's Best Works on One CD
Essential Works, Classic Performances, Bargain Price
Exquisite and mysterious works by a great composer

Martin: Petite symphonie concertante; In Terra Pax

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Martin: Ballades
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Frank Martin: Symphonie, for Large Orchestra / Symphonie Concertante, for Large Orchestra / Passacaglia, for Large Orchestra - Matthias Bamert
Frank Martin: Complete Music for Piano & Orchestra

ASIN: B0000042DI
Release Date: 1997-10-14

Tracks:

Concerto For 7 Wind Instruments, Timpani, Percussion And String Orchestra: I. Allegro
Concerto For 7 Wind Instruments, Timpani, Percussion And String Orchestra: II. Adagietto
III. Allegro vivace
Etudes For String Orchestra: Ouverture
Etudes For String Orchestra: I. Pout l'enchament des traits
Etudes For String Orchestra: II. Pour le pizzicato
Etudes For String Orchestra: III. Pout l'expression et le sostenuto
Etudes For String Orchestra: IV. Pour le style fugu
Petite Symphonie Concertante: I. Adagio - Allegro con moto
Petite Symphonie Concertante: II. Adagio
Petite Symphonie Concertante: III. Allegretto alla marcia
Passacaglia For String Orchestra

Tracks:

Concerto For Violin And Orchestra: I. Allegro tranquillo
Concerto For Violin And Orchestra: II. Andante molto moderato
III. Presto
In terra pax - Part 1: No. 1 Lorsque l'Agneau rompit le premier sceau
In terra pax - Part 1: No 2. Mon Dieu, mon Dieu
No 3. Malheur au peuple charge p!
No 4. ernel, Dieu de mon salut
In terr pax - Part II: No 5. Sentinelle, que dis-tu de la nuit ?
In terra pax - Part II: No 6. Mais les tbres ne reront pas toujours
In terr pax - Part II: No 7. Consolez, consolez mon peuple
In terra pax - Part III_: No 8. Voici mon serviteur, mon
No 9. Heureux les afflig
No. 10 Notre P qui es aux cieux
In terra pax - Part IV: No 11. puis je vis un nouveau ciel

Customer Reviews:

Martin's Best Works on One CD.......2003-05-27

This CD is probably the best introduction to the work of Swiss composer Frank Martin that you can ever find. The Petite Symphonie Concertante is one of the great masterpieces of mid 20th century music. The Violin Concerto is exquisite. In Terra Pax is a deeply moving choral work, the Concerto for Seven Instruments is strong and the Etudes are quite interesting. And at the price, this is not one to pass up at all.

Martin is a fascinating amalgam of influences. On the surface his music seems perched between the French neoclassicists and the Viennese School. The melos of the works is steeped in a densely chromatic style with considerable debt to 12 tone music, and yet the harmonic world is often triadic, and almost always tonal. And Martin has an ear for sonority that is distinctly French. But under these surface influences lies a much deeper connection with Bach, Haydn and Mozart. Martin is perhaps one of the most classic of neo-classicists. And he wears his influence proudly without ever sounding tired or derivative.

The Concerto for Seven Instruments, Percussion and Strings is a modern take on the concerto grosso and as such shows its baroque roots rather well. The first movement is tense, the second sustained and lyrical and the work builds to an exciting conclusion. The string etudes are equally fine, though not particularly deeply moving. The Petite Symphonie Concertante is the stunner of this group. Written for strings with a continuo of piano, harp and harpsichord, the piece sounds like a modernization of the Fifth Brandenburg. Martin's orchestral ear is marvelous in the piece. Particularly stunning is the deeply felt slow movement. Melodies are exposed by each of the continuo instruments while being accompanied by strummed triads on one of the other instruments. The movement builds beautifully and finds ultimate release in the driving finale.

The Violin concerto is a wonderful work as well. It features a dark and lugubrious first movement, another shining slow movement, and a virtuoso finale. The final work on the disc, In Terra Pax, was written to celebrate the secession of hostilities after the Second World War. The texts consist of prophetic passages from the Old Testament which transition to uplifting, hopeful New Testament passages. It is a wonderful choral work and deserves a place in the repertoire.

Performance and sound on this CD is excellent. Ansermet was the composer's chief support and champion so the interpretations have the ring of authority. And at a twofer price, this should be a no-brain decision. Martin's music is modern and rigorous, but without tears. A highly recommended disc.

Essential Works, Classic Performances, Bargain Price.......2000-06-10

This set brings together 6 of Frank Martin's most beautiful works of the 1940s and 50s, nearly 21/2 hours of some of the finest, most directly communicative music of the past century. There are 5 orchestral works plus his 1st great oratorio, In Terra Pax, composed (on New Testament texts) to celebrate the end of World War II. All but 1 of the performances are under the direction of his great champion, Ernest Ansermet; the 6th, the 1952 string orchestra version of the 1944 Passacaglia for organ, is conducted by its dedicatee, Karl Muenchinger. These are classic versions in every sense. Don't hesitate because 3 of the recordings are in mono: this "basic" collection is a great place to begin finding out why Martin's music is so beloved and admired by those who know it. (If you want a stereo version of his most famous work, the Petite Symphonie Concertante - for harp, harpsichord & piano with double string orchestra - try Edmond de Stoutz's 1992 one on Gallo CD-713, coupled with the finest recent version of Martin's late masterpiece Polyptyque & the early, charmingly wistful Pavane couleur du temps.) Excellent notes, full French-English text for In Terra Pax. Thank you, Decca/London, for keeping this in the catalogue.

Exquisite and mysterious works by a great composer.......2000-06-05

I love the music of the Swiss composer Frank Martin (1890-1974). He has a distinctive musical personality and he, more than anyone I know, has been able to bring together the orchestral textures of impressionism, the rythmic alertness of Stravinsky and some of the lessons of atonality in a seamless fashion. The Petite Symphonie Concertante, for the unholy combination of harpsichord and harp, is well known, but he also composed a beautiful Requiem, a Mass for Double Choir (available in a beautiful recording on Hyperion), a fascinating song cycle called Six Monologues for Everyman, and some exquisite orchestral works, such as the Concerto for 7 Wind Instruments, his Etudes for Orchestra, and the intensely beautiful Polyptique for violin solo and two string orchestras--a work from the 70s which was wonderfully recorded by DG in 1992, in expressive and perfect performances by Thierry Fischer and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, and now appears to be out of print. Like Janacek, Martin is a composer who found his own language late in life and seemed to grow younger the older he got. Among his last works was "Poemes de la mort", a setting of ballades by Villon for three tenors and three electric guitars! His music is intellectualy satisfying, to say the least. His shorter works are often paired with those by Honegger and Martinu's. This very good anthology contains the first recording of the Petite Symphonie Concertante conducted by Ernest Ansermet, and the beautiful Violin Concerto performed by Schneiderhan, in what must be considered a definitive performance (it has not been matched since), among other works. Martin was a very religious, very spiritual man, and even his instrumental works evoke a sense of mystery and spiritual devotion. This set deserves five stars for the quality of the works and the performances, but prospective buyers should know that these are all recordings from the 50's and 60's, and some concessions must be made for the quality of the sound, particularly for the Petite Symphonie Concertante, recorded in 1951.

Frank Martin: Polyptyque; Études; Concerto pur 7 instruments à vent

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Frank Martin: Polyptyque; Études; Concerto pur 7 instruments à vent

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000E52F
Release Date: 1992-09-15

Frank Martin: Concerto for 7 Wind Instruments, Percussion & Strings / Studies for String Orchestra / Erasmi monumentum - Matthias Bamert

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Lushly played Martin, including a rarity

Frank Martin: Concerto for 7 Wind Instruments, Percussion & Strings / Studies for String Orchestra / Erasmi monumentum - Matthias Bamert
Celia Chambers , Ian Hardwick , Robert Hill , Benedict Hoffnung , Bettina Jensen , Russell Jordan , Gerald Kirby , and The London Philharmonic
Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Martin: Petite symphonie concertante; In Terra Pax
Martin: Ballades
Frank Martin: Symphonie, for Large Orchestra / Symphonie Concertante, for Large Orchestra / Passacaglia, for Large Orchestra - Matthias Bamert
Frank Martin: Complete Music for Piano & Orchestra
Frank Martin: 4 Sonnets à Cassandre; Piano Quintet; Violin Sonata

ASIN: B000000AUR
Release Date: 1994-05-31

Tracks:

Concerto For 7 Wind Instruments, Percussion And Strings: Allegro
Concerto For 7 Wind Instruments, Percussion And Strings: Adagietto: Misterioso ed elegante
Concerto For 7 Wind Instruments, Percussion And Strings: Allegro vivace
Studies For String Orchestra: Ouverture: Andante con moto
Studies For String Orchestra: Premiere Etude: Tranquillo e leggero
Studies For String Orchestra: Deuxieme Etude: Allegro moderato
Studies For String Orchestra: Troisieme Etude: Molto adagio
Studies For String Orchestra: Quatrieme Etude: Allegro giusto
Erasmi monumentum: Homo pro se: Andante molto moderato
Erasmi monumentum: Stulticiae Laus: Allegro giocoso - Tempo di Valsa
Erasmi monumentum: Querela Pacis: Allegro - Andante

Amazon.com

Swiss composer Frank Martin was a curious character. The son of a Protestant pastor, he combined French and German influences in typically Swiss fashion, but also tonality, atonality, and an enlivening dose of jazz. He lived a long and productive life, composed his own Requiem Mass (which he actually got to perform and record to make sure he'd got it right), and then conveniently died. This swinging concerto shows the jazz influence right at the start, where each of the solos introduces itself in what sounds like an improvised jam session. Of course the whole thing's composed with typical precision (Swiss, like in watches, right?), but it's still one of the most entertaining of this century's "group" concertos. This recording does it proud. --David Hurwitz

Amazon.com

Frank Martin (1890-1974) was a Swiss composer whose music runs the gamut of the major Modernistic ideas in music in this century, principally those of serialism and twelve-tone construction. The Concerto for Seven Wind Instruments, Percussion, and Strings (1949) owes much to Stravinsky's neo- classical period, with the extended ostinati in the winds. Studies for String Orchestra (1955-56) is clearly informed by a strict neo-classical structure, but the familiar elements of serialism are made a bit more palatable by the work's smoother flow. "Erasmi Monumentum" (1969) is for organ and full orchestra is moody and fraught with tonal complications. --Paul Cook

Customer Reviews:

Lushly played Martin, including a rarity.......2000-06-21

This disc offers representative orchestral works by Frank Martin, 1 each from the 1940s, 50s & 60s. The Concerto for 7 Wind Instruments is sheer delight, as the composer explores the expressive possibilities of various color combinations, first in a taut Allegro, then the "mysterious & elegant" slow movement (with its steady string "tick-tock" movement underlying all the various events) & finally a dynamic Allegro vivace, which evokes marches from circus to military. The Studies (or Etudes) for String Orchestra likewise find room for both lyricism & humor, the latter especially in the syncopations of the "pizzicato" study. These performances are finely played & conducted, & recorded in full, even lush sound. (If you're just getting acquainted with Martin's music, you might consider instead getting Ernest Ansermet's early 60s versions of the Concerto & Etudes - rhythmically more dynamic than Bamert's - on London 448 264-2: for 50 cents more than this CD, you'll have an additional disc & 4 other essential Martin works in classic performances.) Erasmi Monumentum is infrequently recorded, & this is certainly a beautifully executed reading. The 3 movements, all with Latin titles referring to the works or character of the philosopher Erasmus, are highly contrasted: a spiky Andante, a wild "spring break" Allegro (with the organ evoking the fairground rather than the cathedral) & finally a plea for peace amid the threat of war. This is a challenging but rewarding piece which shows how, in his late 70s, Frank Martin continued to strive for greater orchestral subtlety & remained open to the sounds around him, while staying true to his inner convictions as an artist & compassionate human being.

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Outstanding New Versions of 2 Essential Martin Works

Frank Martin: Concertos

Manufacturer: MD&G Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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Frank Martin: Symphonie, for Large Orchestra / Symphonie Concertante, for Large Orchestra / Passacaglia, for Large Orchestra - Matthias Bamert

ASIN: B000665EKO
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Tracks:

Allegro Tranquillo
Andante Molto Moderato
Presto
Allegro
Adagietto
Allegro Vivace
Adagio/Allegro Con Fuoco/Lento Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding New Versions of 2 Essential Martin Works.......2005-05-08

A new generation of performers is discovering the music of the great Swiss composer Frank Martin (1890-1974) & this outstanding CD is one of a slew of recent recordings. 2 of the works are essential in anyone's library: the Concerto for 7 Wind Instruments (1949) and the Violin Concerto (1950-51). Despite their proximity in time, they make a well contrasted pair: the 1st, with its virtuoso handling of the 7 solo lines, alone & in combo, tends towards the genre of 'expanded chamber music' - Martin's own description of his 'Petite Symphonie Concertante' - whereas the 2nd is a bona fide, large scale concerto, albeit one with a marvelously subtle orchestral palette, inspired by the spirit Ariel from Shakespeare's 'Tempest,' a play that preoccupied Martin for the 1st half of the 1950s. One could also say that the 1st piece tends towards the 'Classical' & the 2nd towards the 'Romantic,' were it not for the fact that one of the intriguing characteristics of Martin's mature music is that it reconciles & merges these 2 polarities, just as it combines characteristics we may think of as 'French' & 'German.' In any case, his music remains among the most direct & deeply satisfying of the 20th century, & these performances by the Orchester Musikkollegium Winterthur under Jac van Steen are absolutely 1st rate, & in excellent sound to boot.
The 3rd work, the 'Danse de la peur' (Dance of Fear) is an arrangement for 2 pianos & small orchestra of a section of an abandoned ballet composed in 1936. This was the period when Martin was exploring the implications of 12-tone theory for the evolution of his individual musical language, which was to resolve in 1938 with the formation of his mature style. The 'Danse de la peur' is a suitably spooky, even violent piece, full of rhythmic vitality; it would certainly lend itself well to choreography. Far less well known than the other 2 pieces, it too gets an excellent reading here.
Again, these are among the finest of recent performances of the 2 major works - both of which have been recorded many times - and if you're looking for a modern version of them I recommend this CD without reservations.

Frank Martin: Petite Symphonie Concertante, etc.

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Fine Performances, But Get It Cheaper!

Frank Martin: Petite Symphonie Concertante, etc.

Manufacturer: Erato
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Customer Reviews:

Fine Performances, But Get It Cheaper!.......2004-01-29

These generally excellent performances of 3 works of the 1940s by the great Swiss composer Frank Martin (1890-1974) are now available on Warner Classics apex at bargain price, complete with text & translation for the song cycle "6 Monologues from 'Everyman'," Martin's most famous work for solo voice & orchestra (originally piano). The other 2 works, the "Petite Symphonie Concertante" & the Concerto for 7 Wind Instruments, rank among his greatest orchestral works. Avoid it on Elektra/Asylum, avoid it on Cascavelle, buy it for peanuts on Warner apex!

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Fine Martin Pieces & Performances, but get it cheaper

Frank Martin

Manufacturer: Cascavelle
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Petite Sym Conc: Adagio - Allegro Con Moto - Eva Guibentif/Christiane Jaccottet/Ursula Ruttimann
Petite Sym Conc: Adagio - Eva Guibentif/Christiane Jaccottet/Ursula Ruttimann
Petite Sym Conc: Allegretto Alla Marcia - Eva Guibentif/Christiane Jaccottet/Ursula Ruttimann
Six Monologues From 'Everyman': No.1 Ist Alls Zu End Das Freudenmahl
Six Monologues From 'Everyman': No.2 Ach Gott, Wie Graust Mir Vor Dem Tod
Six Monologues From 'Everyman': No.3 Ist Als Wenn Eins Gerufen Hatt
Six Monologues From 'Everyman': No.4 So Wollt Ich Ganz Zernichtet Sein
Six Monologues From 'Everyman': No.5 Ja! Ich Glaub: Solches Hat Er Vollbracht
Six Monologues From 'Everyman': No.6 O Ewiger Gott! O Gottliches Gesicht!
Con: Allegro - Jean-Claude Hermenjat/Jerome apeille/Michel Westphal/Roger Birnstingl/Bruno Schneider/Yves Guigou..
Con: Adagietto - Jean-Claude Hermenjat/Jerome Capeille/Michel Westphal/Roger Birnstingl/Bruno Schneider/Yves Guigou..
Con: Allegro Vivace - Jean-Claude Hermenjat/Jerome Capeille/Michel Westphal/Roger Birnstingl/Bruno Schneider/Yves Guigou..

Customer Reviews:

Fine Martin Pieces & Performances, but get it cheaper.......2004-01-28

PLEASE NOTE: These performances have been reissued, at bargain price, on Warner Classics apex 0927-48687-2, so there's no reason to buy this more expensive pressing.
The 3 works here, 2 for orchestra & one for baritone & orchestra, are among the finest by the great Swiss composer Frank Martin (1890-1974). They all date from the 1940s, when - after many years of hard work - he had finally achieved his highly individual mature style, particularly in matters of harmony. His most famous work, the "Petite Symphonie Concertante" for the unique combination of harp, harpsichord, piano & double string orchestra, remains as fresh & exhilarating as the day it was first performed; the "Concerto for 7 Wind Instruments" never ceases to delight in the ingenious, expressive ways Martin uses his soloists, separately & in various combinations. The "Six Monologues from 'Everyman'" - settings for voice & orchestra of excerpts from Hugo von Hofmannsthal's modern version of the medieval religious drama - is one of the 20th century's most moving song cycles, & has been performed and/or recorded by numerous well-known (bass-)baritones, including Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Heinz Rehfuss (both with Martin), Theo Adam, Jose van Dam, David Wilson-Johnson, Matthias Goerne, Hakan Hagegard & Thomas Quasthoff; there is a searing recent recording of the original piano version by Roman Trekel on Berlin Classics.
These performances are expertly conducted by Armin Jordan, very well-played & recorded; I think they'll hold up well over time. The "Petite Symphonie Concertante" is the pick of the lot - nice to have Christiane Jacottet, who once recorded Martin's Harpsichord Concerto under the composer, as one of the soloists - : shrewdly paced & with exceptionally well-judged recording balance. Some of the solo parts in the Concerto have been played with more assertive sense of character elsewhere, but the teamwork here is just fine, & again Jordan judges the "build" of the piece expertly. He also resists the temptation of equating "spiritual" with "slow" in the Monologues - not all conductors do. My only reservations have to do with baritone Gilles Cachemaille. He certainly sings beautifully & with great sincerity, but (as elsewhere) I find his voice when at "average" volume oddly inexpressive, if pleasant in timbre; as soon as the line rises in pitch & volume the performance comes to life. But if this is not the most emotionally heart-piercing version of the piece, it is still very good. And overall, if you're looking for good modern versions of these 3 works, or are just curious about Martin's music, this is a real bargain - if you buy it on Warner apex!