B. Martinů – Etudes and Polkas, H. 308 (Kašpar)

Book I 0:00 – 1. Etude in D 1:27 – 2. Polka in D 2:50 – 3. Etude in A 5:43 – 4. Polka in A 6:51 – 5. Pastorale 8:39 – 6. Etude Book II 10:19 – 1. Etude in C 12:38 – 2. Polka in F 14:03 – 3. Dance-Etude 15:49 – 4. Polka in E 17:32 – 5. Etude in F Book III 19:19 – 1. Etude in A 21:07 – 2. Polka in A 22:57 – 3. Etude in F 24:40 – 4. Polka in A 26:30 – 5. Etude in F The Etudes and Polkas are some of the culminating works of Martinů's American period, written in 1945 at the request of his publisher. At this point Martinů was already able to find his own Czech musical language – simple progresses in sixths, rhythmical complexity, spontaneity and effective piano writing where anything unncecessary is left out and goes straight to the musical core. The work was premiered the following year by Rudolf Firkušný. (source: Jaroslav Mihule's book Bohuslav Martinů Profil života a díla) Composer – Bohuslav Martinů (1890–1959) Piano – Pavel Kašpar Year of recording – 2004 Czech piano music playlist –    • J. A. Benda – Keyboard Sonata No. 9 in A M...