Mid Century Mode

The Swiss composer Frank Martin is one of those mid 20th century composers like Britten and others whose music is clearly of the 20th century without pinning its colours to any particular modernist stance or methodology. This attractive disk showcases music with a sacred inspiration and also a nod towards the influence of Bach, although the latter is buried and in no way overt. The featured work is Polyptyque - Six images de la Passion du Christ written for violin and two string orchestras. The soloist is Muriel Cantoreggi and her violin "sings" the part beautifully, acting in some way as the evangelist through the various stages of the Passion narrative. Christ in Gethsemane is largely solo and achingly poignant but Martin has chosen to end on the hope of the resurrection and a radiant F sharp major finish. The orchestral support on the disk is provided by the excellent German Radio Philharmonic Orchestra under Christoph Poppen. The other sacred piece on the disk is Maria-Tryptychon for soprano, violin and orchestra where Juliane Banse joins Cantoreggi and the orchestra. This comprises an Ave Maria, Magnificat and Stabat Mater which takes a Bachian structure os a series of arias and instrumental obbligato. The final piece is simply titled Passacaille and is a set of variations with the woodwind getting much gorgeous writing and that most Bachian of instruments the oboe standing out.