Martinu: Field Mass/Double Concerto/Les Freques de Piero della
Martinu's Double Concerto is clearly a descendent of Bartók's Music for  Strings, Percussion and Celesta, so if you like the Bartók, you'll love the  Martinu, which is just as vicious and angst-ridden. It's one of the composer's  best works, and he knew it. TheFresoes, on the other hand, come from the  same luminous, tuneful world as the six symphonies. This three movement Suite is  absolutely lovely, but at the same time full of those mysterious, shimmering  sounds that Martinu particularly loved. TheField Massis a true "Mass in  the Time of War"--a prayer for peace in troubled times. Charles Mackerras knows  this music as well as anyone, and plays it all splendidly.--David  Hurwitz