A splendid trio of Martinu works gets enthusiastic if not always note-perfect performances on this Supraphon disc by the
Prague Chamber Orchestra. The works themselves are the Czech-French-American composer at his most appealing: the Sinfonietta La Jolla is bright and breezy, the Toccata e Due Canzoni is driving yet lyrical, and the Concerto Grosso muscular but expressive. The performances are certainly dedicated. The Czech musicians' tone is fervent, their tempos snappy, and their intensity unflagging. But at least under director Ondrej Kukal they can't quite keep together either in Martinu's propulsive Toccata or Concerto Grosso or in his singing canzoni of Sinfonietta La Jolla. The discrepancies aren't huge -- occasional frayed attacks or out of synch ensemble -- but it is enough to keep these performances out of the top spot for each work. Nor is Supraphon's stereo sound especially clean or crisp, which certainly hurts Martinu's crystalline scores. In short, a pleasant if not altogether inspiring disc that should appeal to hardcore fans of the composer.