Martinů - The Epic of Gilgamesh

The Guardian 60

Crowe/Staples/Welton/Martinik/Callow/Prague Philharmonic Choir/Czech Philharmonic/Honeck
(Supraphon)

In 1955, Bohuslav Martinů was a composer in exile looking back to the most ancient of texts for answers to life’s enduring questions. His secular cantata The Epic of Gilgamesh was initially a success yet never caught on in the way of, say, Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast, which it initially seems to emulate in its clear declamation, nervy rhythmic drive and colourful orchestration. Martinů’s music blooms in the first of the three parts, but the ensuing episodes are comparatively low key. This live recording of a Prague concert last January is apparently the work’s first in the original English that Martinů set, and benefits enormously from a strong cast of native speakers (including soprano Lucy Crowe and tenor Andrew Staples). The confident chorus and vibrant orchestra are conducted by Manfred Honeck, and Simon Callow provides actorly narration. But the sung words are often slightly awkwardly set, and the whole text sounds archaic, as if it could use translation all over again.