Jakub Hrůša - Bohuslav Martinů: The Symphonies (2026)
I can easily understand why this set has been so well received. Hrůša conducts with conviction, the Bamberg Symphony plays magnificently, and the recording captures Martinů's orchestral imagination in vivid detail. There is constant motion in the music, and the performances avoid the dryness that can sometimes affect twentieth-century symphonic repertoire.
What keeps the cycle from going higher for me is that I admire it more than I emotionally need it. Martinů is endlessly inventive, but his symphonies often feel like a succession of interesting ideas rather than a journey toward an unavoidable destination. I hear momentum, color and intelligence, yet I rarely experience the cumulative tension that turns admiration into fascination.
The performances themselves leave little to criticize. Hrůša finds warmth where other conductors find efficiency, and he does a remarkable job of maintaining forward movement. Still, even in these excellent interpretations, the music's emotional stakes feel moderate. The climaxes register as satisfying rather than transformative.
In the end, this is a very strong symphonic cycle and probably one of the best modern ways to experience Martinů. I enjoyed spending time in its world, but I never reached the point where the music felt indispensable. The craft is consistently high; the emotional payoff is more variable. That's enough for a solid recommendation, but not enough to push it into the truly memorable tier of orchestral recordings.
Pros
Excellent orchestral playing with impressive clarity and rhythmic precision.Hrůša brings energy and coherence to music that can sometimes feel episodic.
Consistently engaging orchestral colors and craftsmanship throughout the cycle.
Cons
Emotional gravity remains limited
The six symphonies share enough DNA that the cycle can feel homogeneous over multiple discs.
Strong architecture and craft, but relatively few moments of overwhelming arrival or necessity.
Genre: Symphony
Country: Czech Republic
Final Verdict: 69% (Good Album)
Yearly Ranking: 53th / 486
Highlight: Symphony No. 6, H. 343 "Fantaisies symphoniques" : Martinů: Symphony No. 6, H. 343 "Fantaisies symphoniques": I. Lento – Andante moderato – Allegro – Lento
Made me think of:
Rafael Kubelík
Jiří Bělohlávek
Václav Neumann
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