LADISLAV KUBÍK (b.1946): Sinfonietta No. 1 for 19 Instruments (Ensemble 21; Jakub Hrusa), Concerto No. 3 for Piano, Orchestra and Electronics (Read Gainsford [piano], Brno Philharmonic;  Alexander Jiménez), Sinfonietta No. 3 "Gong" for Mezzo-Soprano, Mixed Choir, Orchestra and Electronics (Jadwiga Rappé [mezzo], Kühn Mixed Choir, Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra; Jan Kucera).

Description: The impressive 1998 Sinfonietta No.1 might as well be entitled Kammersinfonie, with its sense of momentum and flow, Schoenbergian structure and Bergian lyricism. The composer creates the impression of genuinely symphonic argument in under ten minutes, and a much larger ensemble than the 19 players actually involved. The piano concerto commemorates the 50th anniversary of the death of Martinu, and the work's bold and expressive style recalls that composer. A very recent work - from last year - it is considerably more apparently tonal than the 1st Sinfonietta. In the second movement, Kubik introduces a subtle use of electronics; slightly modified and ethereally spatialized recorded quotations from Martinu's works engage in dialogue withy the orchestra here and in the sombre, slow epilogue that concludes the very Martinu-esque, propulsive finale. The third Sinfonietta also incorporates a tape part, here derived from gong sounds and human voices, to accompany settings of Rilke. A short introductory movement, not a little reminiscent of the Schoenberg of Gurrelieder, is followed by the sonically expanded textures of the first of the Rilke settings, Kubik's style now sounding surprisingly Mahlerian, despite his modern resources.